Charles Michel: 'We agree to step up substantive work to advance on Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty'

“Today, we agree to step up substantive work to advance on the peace treaty governing inter-state relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and tasked the Foreign Ministers to meet within one month to work on draft texts,” President of the European Council Charles Michel said in a press statement after a tripartite meeting today with the President of Azerbaijan Aliyev and the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, Report informs.

“This was our fourth discussion in this format. Our discussions focused on recent developments in the South Caucasus and the relations between the EU and both countries. Our exchanges were open and productive - and I would like to thank both leaders for that. We reviewed the entire set of issues on our agenda,” Michel noted.

The European Council president emphasized that “it is positive to see that quite a few steps have been taken to take forward the agreements reached during our last meeting.”

Charles Michel said that they reviewed progress on all questions related to the delimitation of the border and how best to ensure a stable situation.

He also noted that the next meeting of the Border Commissions will take place in Brussels in November.

“We reviewed progress of discussions on the modalities for unblocking the transport links,” he added.

The European Council president underlined that it is “important to take the population along on both sides and prepare them for a long-term sustainable peace.”

“The EU is ready to further step up its support towards a long-term sustainable peace. The EU will also continue to push for the advancement of economic development for the benefit of both countries and their populations,” he said.

He added that the next meeting in this format will be held by the end of November.