Toivo Klaar: The EU has its own interests in the South Caucasus

ArmInfo. The EU is actively involved in the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan at all levels. EU Special Representative for the crisis in the South  Caucasus and Georgia Toivo Klaar stated, referring to the  normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

According to him, one of the clearest proofs of this is the activity  of Charles Michel, the President of the EU Council, who held four  meetings with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Brussels.

"The EU has its own interests here. This is our neighboring region,  so we are clearly interested in a peaceful and prosperous South  Caucasus. That is why it is important that we can resolve the  conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan," the European diplomat said.

In this vein, he stated that one of the signs of the activity of the  EU is also the deployment of an observation mission along the  Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

Klaar is confident that the monitoring mission will strengthen the  potential for EU support. "In addition, the physical presence of the  EU demonstrates our commitment to peace and stability here, as well  as the seriousness with which the EU approaches its mission of  helping Armenia and Azerbaijan reach a comprehensive settlement," the  EU Special Representative added.

At the same time, he noted that he hopes that the observation mission  will better inform Brussels about the situation on the ground and the  existing challenges, which will make it possible to more effectively  contribute to the peace process.

"The duration of the mission is two months. The funds were provided  from the budget of the monitoring mission in Georgia. For a short  period, we can allocate part of the funds of the monitoring mission  in Georgia without jeopardizing the capabilities of the EU monitoring  missions and thus sending observers to Armenia," he said in an  interview with Voice of America.

Referring to reports of war crimes during hostilities between Armenia  and Azerbaijan, the European diplomat said that, according to his  information, both sides are investigating this issue. "If proven,  Brussels expects the relevant authorities of the countries to take  procedural measures to punish the perpetrators, as they have assumed  the relevant obligations," the diplomat said.

At the same time, Klaar expressed confidence that the Karabakh  conflict has a negative impact on all the countries of the South  Caucasus. "All three countries are losing economic opportunities  because of this conflict, including Georgia, so the settlement of the  conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the opening of borders,  communication, and the restoration of trade are beneficial to all  three republics of the South Caucasus," the EU Special Representative  assured.