EU Tries to Push Azerbaijan-Armenia Peace as Russia Affords Extra Talks

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union urged Azerbaijan and Armenia to chorus from “violence and harsh rhetoric” on Saturday on the newest spherical of talks in a tortuous peace course of during which Russia can also be pushing to retain a number one position.

EU Council President Charles Michel hosted Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for talks in Brussels aimed toward drawing a line underneath greater than three many years of hostilities.

Because the collapse of the Soviet Union, the 2 international locations have fought two wars over Nagorno-Karabakh, a small mountainous enclave that’s a part of Azerbaijan however populated by about 120,000 ethnic Armenians.

Armenia says the proposed peace treaty ought to present particular rights for them and assure their safety. Azberbaijani International Minister Jeyhun Bayramov rejected that demand in an interview with Reuters in June, saying it was pointless and amounted to interference in Azerbaijan’s affairs.

“Actual progress is dependent upon the subsequent steps that can should be taken within the close to future. As a matter of precedence, violence and harsh rhetoric ought to cease as a way to present the right surroundings for peace and normalisation talks,” Michel mentioned.

He advised reporters: “The inhabitants on the bottom wants reassurances, before everything concerning their rights and safety.”

Michel mentioned he additionally expressed the EU’s encouragement for Azerbaijan to speak on to the Karabakh Armenians as a way to develop confidence between the events.

It was not clear how Aliyev reacted, as he and Pashinyan left with out briefing reporters. The de facto management of Nagorno-Karabakh claims to be unbiased however isn’t recognised by any nation.

In addition to the EU, the US has additionally been pushing the edges to achieve a peace deal. Russia, the standard energy dealer within the area, has been distracted by the conflict in Ukraine and dangers seeing its affect diminished.

Russia mentioned on Saturday that it was able to organise a three-way assembly with Armenia and Azerbaijan on the degree of international ministers. This may very well be adopted up with a Moscow summit to signal a peace treaty, the International Ministry mentioned in an announcement.

It mentioned an integral a part of this pact ought to be “dependable and clear ensures of the rights and safety of the Armenians of Karabakh” and implementation of earlier agreements between Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

(Reporting by Nailia Bagirova and Philip Blenkinsop; Writing by Mark Trevelyan; Modifying by Frances Kerry)

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