BRUSSELS: In a significant diplomatic move, the European Union (EU) is set to host senior envoys from historic rivals Armenia and Azerbaijan on Tuesday. This meeting follows Azerbaijan’s recent victory in the long-standing conflict over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, as announced by the EU.
Simon Mordue, the chief diplomatic advisor to European Council President Charles Michel, will moderate the talks, confirmed Michel’s spokeswoman. Both Azerbaijan and Armenia, with the participation of EU heavyweights France and Germany, will be represented by their national security advisors. The EU’s special representative for the South Caucasus, Estonian diplomat Toivo Klaar, will also attend the meeting.
Dispute Between Armenia and Azerbaijan
The dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh has spanned three decades, primarily involving the region’s ethnically Armenian population. However, a dramatic shift occurred last week when Azerbaijani government forces launched a swift offensive, gaining control of the area. Reports suggest that ethnic Armenian fighters have initiated disarmament efforts in the region.
Tuesday’s meeting in Brussels marks the first formal encounter between Armenian and Azerbaijani officials since the recent offensive. It is viewed as a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to establish stability in the region. Notably, leaders from both countries are scheduled to meet again next month.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev are set to attend the European Political Community summit in the Spanish city of Granada on October 5, offering an additional opportunity for diplomatic engagement and potential progress in resolving the long-standing tensions between the two nations.
