Ceasefire must be respected - Toivo Klaar 

ArmInfo.Delimitation and demarcation of borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a particular issue has been on the agenda of EU mediation efforts over the past  year, in particular also through the personal involvement of  President of the European Council Charles Michel with the Armenian  and Azerbaijani leaders, Toivo Klaar, European Union Special  Representatives (EUSR) for the South Caucasus and the crisis in  Georgia, said in an interview with the Azerbaijani news agency APA. 

"In this context, I'm glad to indicate that I yesterday facilitated a  meeting in Brussels between Secretary of Armenia's Security Council  Armen Gregorian and Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of  Azerbaijan Hikmet Hajiyev. This event was aimed at continuing and  advancing joint efforts to find solutions to outstanding issues  between both countries. The participants reviewed the political and  security situation in the region and the full spectrum of issues  between Armenia and Azerbaijan as a follow-up to the understandings  reached during the meeting of leaders of both countries and the EU  that was held in Brussels in December 2021. I am pleased that the  participants agreed to meet again over the coming weeks.  Yesterday's  discussions also focused on preparations for the next meeting between  President of the European Council Charles Michel, President of the  Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, and Prime Minister of the  Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, which will be held in Brussels  on 6 April 2022," he said. 

As regards his visits to Baku and Yerevan, Mr Klaar said:  

"I very often visit Baku and Yerevan for high-level consultations  with the leadership of both countries.  These privileged  conversations and exchanges allow us to better understand the  situation and also to have a better sense of where the EU can provide  assistance and, in turn, take action in line with the leaderships'  willingness to engage in closer cooperation with the EU. My  impressions from these meetings are largely positive. I have the  honor to be always welcomed at the highest level, which is very much  appreciated in Brussels as a sign of serious engagement from the  sides. I hope that our engagement will contribute to more steps to  find compromise solutions to all outstanding issues between both  countries, and the EU will certainly continue efforts in this  direction."

Asked about his opinion of Azerbaijan's five-point proposal to  Armenia, Mr Klaar said:  "The European Union, like many in the  international community, has been emphasizing the need for a  comprehensive settlement to conflict-related issues. In this regard,  any moves in that direction are welcome. Certainly, the Azerbaijani  proposal is important, likewise, the Armenian response to the  Azerbaijani proposal was made on the very same day. Again, what the  European Union believes is important, is that these moves contribute  to an environment conducive to discussions for a comprehensive  settlement."

As to the recent tensions along the Line of Contact, Mr Klaar said:   "Let me reiterate our great concern about the recent incidents near  the Line of Contact. The ceasefire must be respected. The EU remains  engaged at the highest level to facilitate direct discussions and a  lowering of tensions with a view to ensuring a stable and peaceful  environment. However, while we call on all sides to respect their  commitments under the trilateral statement of November 2020, I also  wish to stress that the EU is not a signatory to that statement and  is not in a position to review its implementation."

Asked about his opinion of whether the war in Ukraine affects the  discussions between the EU and Russia on Karabakh and whether the EU  should intensify its efforts to achieve peace in the South Caucasus,  Mr Klaar said:  "The EU has been engaged at the highest level with  Armenia and Azerbaijan over the past year, in particular through the  personal involvement of the President of the European Council Charles  Michel, but also through high-level meetings by European  Commissioners, my visits and the daily work done by our Delegations  in both countries. The sides perceive the EU as an honest broker with  a positive agenda for the region, which is something we value. I can  assure you that our efforts to achieve sustainable peace in the South  Caucasus will remain at a very high level."