On November 12, 2022, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov participated in the meeting of the foreign ministers of the Eastern Partnership countries of the European Union within the framework of his working visit to Brussels.

The meeting chaired by Josep Borell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, was attended by the foreign ministers of the Eastern Partnership countries and Oliver Varhelyi, the Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement of the European Commission. The event kicked off with the speeches of High Representative Borell and Commissioner Varhelyi, as well as the heads of relevant structural units.

At the meeting, the current situation and future directions of the Eastern Partnership, regional security, and prospects of relations between the European Union and partner countries were discussed. Development of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union, the role played by Azerbaijan in Europe's energy security, issues related to cooperation in the field of transport and communication were also among the issued discussed. The fact that our country is a regional transport and logistics hub was emphasized.

In his speech Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that our country is interested in the development of relations based on equal partnership with the European Union (EU) and that Azerbaijan continues to see the Eastern Partnership as an important complementary mechanism for the development of bilateral EU-Azerbaijan relations based on mutual respect, equal partnership, common interests and benefits. He touched upon the possibilities of establishing energy and transport relations and developing trade cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union.

The Minister emphasized that the EU is the largest trade and investment partner for Azerbaijan, and that the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Azerbaijan and the European Union on July 18, 2022 includes a number of components of energy security, including green energy, which will be important in terms of its potential export to Europe. Also, it was stated that the negotiations between the EU and Azerbaijan on a new bilateral agreement are continuing successfully.

The Minister emphasized that the development of transport hub in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan, including Zangezur corridor, will play a positive role for regional peace and stability and will boost intra-regional trade.

During the meeting, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov gave extensive information about the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and border delimitation, regional security and other issues of mutual interest. The Minister brought to attention the fact that, despite the efforts made by Azerbaijan in ensuring peace, Armenia is yet to fulfill its obligations deriving from the Trilateral Statement.

The Minister also drew the attention to the threat of landmines in the liberated areas and emphasized the importance of providing mine maps by Armenia. It was emphasized that Armenia continues to massively plant new landmines in the territories of Azerbaijan.

Since August of this year, 2,728 anti-personnel landmines produced in Armenia in 2021 have been detected in the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan, and 268 people have been victims of landmines so far. It was underlined that bringing landmines to the territory of Azerbaijan is an abuse of the Lachin road, which is intended only for humanitarian purposes. Taking into account the scale and seriousness of the problem, the Minister noted that international solidarity and support are important in fighting it.

Stating that Azerbaijan has taken the initiative in the process of normalization of interstate relations with Armenia, along with large-scale post-conflict rehabilitation, reconstruction and reintegration works, the Minister emphasized that Azerbaijan offers peace to Armenia on the basis of mutual recognition and respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity within the state borders.

Later, foreign ministers of other Eastern Partnership countries, as well as foreign ministers of European Union countries exchanged views on the prospects of the partnership.

You can get acquainted with the full text of the speech of the Minister of Foreign Affairs from this link.