Tofig Zulfugarov: Azerbaijan achieves its goal, no one talks about conflict anymore

One of the most important issues is that Azerbaijan has the opportunity to reassert its position using the European Union "platform". Second, official Baku has repeatedly stated the issues under discussion over the past year, Former Foreign Minister Tofig Zulfugarov told Report.

Commenting on the results of the Brussels meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, EU Council President Charles Michel, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the former foreign minister said that official Baku is gradually achieving its goals.

“We were constantly telling the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs that the war is over and opinions on the post-conflict period must be voiced. Finally, this is becoming true. Now no one even remembers the nonsense of the Minsk Group. This is a serious outcome. Azerbaijan is already achieving its goal. Simultaneously, fundamental assistance is needed to restore the liberated territories. Large sources of funding must be found, including the European Union should take serious steps in this direction. So far, the EU is not doing anything about it. But there is good reason to think that their position will change after that. This is evidenced by recent statements of EU officials. I think all three factors are in our favor."

Tofig Zulfugarov also touched upon the future prospects of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union: “Relations are quite good now. After that, it is quite possible to further expand bilateral relations. What we need now is to take appropriate steps related to the liberated territories, to ensure the return of our people to their ancestral lands. We hope that from now on the European Union will do its best in this direction."

Relations with the European Union are among the priorities of Azerbaijan's foreign policy. Azerbaijan is developing its relations with the EU on the basis of equal partnership. Over the relations with the EU, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has been to Brussels nine times since 2004. The EU is Azerbaijan's main trading partner, including its largest export partner. More than 40% of Azerbaijan's trade is with EU member states.

In 2020, the trade turnover amounted to $9.5 billion. Over 1,700 companies from EU member states operate in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is a reliable supplier of crude oil to European markets. Azerbaijan's gas reserves will allow the country to transport gas to Europe for at least 100 years. The Southern Gas Corridor, created with the support of Azerbaijan, provides ample opportunities for Europe to diversify its energy sources. The 3,500-km-long Southern Gas Corridor connects seven countries. EU Council President Charles Michel also played a mediating role in the humanitarian action, such as Armenia's handover of Aghdam District’s minefield maps to Azerbaijan in June 2021 and Azerbaijan's extradition of 15 Armenians to Armenia. In addition, the EU can contribute to confidence-building measures between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the process of opening communications in the region.