President: Trilateral meeting between US, EU, and Armenia will lead to escalation of tension in South Caucasus

The non-transparent preparation, lack of inclusivity, and failure to postpone the trilateral meeting scheduled for April 5 between the United States, the European Union, and Armenia, despite Azerbaijan's justified concerns, will lead to escalation of tension and creation of new dividing lines rather than peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, said in the telephone conversation with the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Report informs.

President Ilham Aliyev highlighted that, based on the information he received, discussions during the preparation process for the trilateral meeting included topics such as military support to Armenia, joint military exercises, the establishment of military infrastructure along border areas with Azerbaijan, and Armenia's arming through the EU's European Peace Facility and funded by the US budget. The head of state emphasized that such steps carrying an anti-Azerbaijan nature, including the policy of arming Armenia by France, will exacerbate arms race in the region and lead to provocations.

During the telephone conversation, Antony Blinken underlined that the meeting on April 5 is not against Azerbaijan.