“Azerbaijan is ready to start talks on normalization of relations with Armenia. It considers it possible to take an active part in this process of the European Union,” Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev said.
“The main issue now is the post-war period, security and peace in the region. We want to turn this page, this is our policy. We want to improve relations with Armenia, our neighbor. We are ready to start negotiations with Armenia on signing a peace agreement, demarcation of borders and opening of communication. This process is partially underway,” Aliyev said as he received new EU Ambassador to Azerbaijan Petr Mikhalko, Interfax reported.
Aliyev noted that the EU can also take an active part in this process. According to him, a lot of work still needs to be done in this direction.
Notably: On 27 September, the Azerbaijani side launched hostilities in Nagorno Karabakh, occupying most of it, including the city of Shushi.
On 9 November, Russian President Vladimir Putin, RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a joint statement on the cessation of hostilities that started on 27 September.
The trilateral statement states in particular that Kelbajar will be returned to Azerbaijan by 15 November (later that period was extended by 10 days), Aghdam region by 20 November, and Lachin region by 1 December, leaving a corridor of 5 km wide, which will ensure Armenia’s connection, but will not touch Shushi.
In addition, along with the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh and the Lachin corridor, Russian peacekeeping forces of 1960 troops with firearms, 90 armored vehicles and 380 vehicles and special equipment are deployed. The peacekeepers remain for five years with the possibility of automatic extension, unless the parties announce the termination of this provision six months before the expiration of the next five years.
It is also mentioned that internally displaced persons and refugees are returning to Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas, exchanging prisoners of war and exchanging other detainees, and unblocking all economic and transport ties in the region is carried out.
