24 August 2023 21:00

On 24 August 2023, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade and the Federal Cultural Institutions of the Kingdom of Belgium, who is on a visit to our country, and the delegation headed by her.

A tête-à-tête meeting was held between Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Minister Hadja Lahbib, and later continued in an expanded format with the participation of the delegations of both sides.

During the meeting, an exchange of views was conducted on issues of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Belgium in bilateral and multilateral formats, as well as regional issues. It was stated that, in the context of new realities in our region, there are opportunities to further expand relevant cooperation with Belgium in the fields of economy, culture, trade, alternative energy, high technologies, medicine and pharmaceuticals, and other areas.

During the discussions, attention was focused on Armenia’s occupation of the territories of Azerbaijan for nearly 30 years, the destruction of 9 cities and more than 300 villages, and the policy of ethnic cleansing.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, informing the other side in detail about the current regional situation and realities in the post-conflict period, the efforts made by Azerbaijan towards the normalization of relations with Armenia, the signing of a peace treaty, the opening of transport and communications in the region, as well as the delimitation of borders, stated that Armenia demonstrates a continuously non-constructive approach, commits military-political provocations, evades its obligations, and abuses the Lachin road for military purposes and for the continuation of the mine threat, contrary to the provisions of the Trilateral Statement.

At the meeting, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov informed the other side about the peace agenda initiated by the Azerbaijani side, the constructive approach of our country within this framework and its relevant efforts, as opposed to Armenia’s contradictory and provocative position.

In particular, Armenia’s obstruction by all means of efforts for the reintegration of Armenian residents living in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan, and its dissemination of false allegations around the Lachin-Khankendi road, were noted. It was recalled that Armenian residents pass through the Lachin road on a daily basis, while the use of the Aghdam-Khankendi road for the transportation of large-volume cargo to the territory has been proposed by Azerbaijan.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov also emphasized that the fact that some states turned a blind eye to the policy of occupation carried out against Azerbaijan for decades in the region, as well as the smear campaign conducted against Azerbaijan in the post-conflict period, is nothing but political manipulation. In connection with all this, the necessity of not allowing international initiatives in the region, such as the European Union mission, to be abused by Armenia was emphasized.

It was emphasized that Azerbaijan has always been in favor of coexistence, development and prosperity in conditions of peace and security, within the framework of the territorial integrity of our country, and will continue its efforts in this direction.

Thereafter, at the press briefing held, the Ministers made statements on the outcomes of the meeting and answered journalists’ questions.