Klaar: The key to normalizing relations with Armenia is in  Azerbaijan`s hands

ArmInfo. The main goal of the European Union at the moment is the signing of a peace agreement  between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Special Representative of the European Union for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, Toivo Klaar, stated to the RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service.

He noted that the EU currently does not see any serious obstacles  that could interfere with this process.  "We expect quick steps to  normalize relations. Some in Brussels believe that this process is  taking too long.  We see no reason why the normalization process  should not happen sooner. The absence of hostilities, the absence of  daily skirmishes does not mean that the situation is normal. What is  important is to move from the current situation of no fighting to a  real process of normalization. This means signing a peace treaty,  opening communications, delimiting borders and withdrawing military  forces to create a sense of security.  This means resolving all  humanitarian issues. We believe that there must be progress faster. I  think Baku can show that this process can be accelerated and made  more fundamental," Klaar noted.

To clarify whether what he said means that the remarks of the  Azerbaijani leadership are not enough to guarantee the security of  the territory of Armenia, Klaar, in particular, said: "I think that  those statements are very important. At the same time, after these  statements it is necessary to move on to peace agreement and its  implementation. Statements are very important, but we expect  actions," the European official added.  When asked why Brussels sends  its calls only to Baku, due to the impression of a biased attitude of  the EU towards the situation, the special representative of the  European Union stated that in the current situation Azerbaijan is the  stronger party.

"Azerbaijan achieved a number of goals through military force, and  the European Union and members of the European Union did not like the  way this was achieved. We are talking about military actions in  Nagorno-Karabakh.

Today we are in such a situation that the key is in the hands of  Azerbaijan. The key to normalizing relations with Armenia lies in the  hands of Azerbaijan.

If you are big, if you are strong, more is expected of you. This is  the essence of the current situation.  Therefore, we expect steps  from the leadership of Azerbaijan. Because we know that now is the  right time, there are opportunities, we must take advantage of them,"  said the EU representative, adding that Yerevan is very interested in  advancing the peace process.

The European official believes that the peace agreement is an  important document, but in itself it is not enough.

"The implementation of such an agreement and the further  normalization of relations is also important - this includes opening  communications, withdrawing military forces from the border, opening  embassies, ensuring the movement of people. The post-peace agreement  phase is also important. Currently, we believe that there is natural  interest from Yerevan. We also hear statements from Baku. To be  honest, there are statements, but we are waiting for real steps.

Ilham Aliyev did not come to the meeting in Granada. We believe that  there was opportunity at the Granada meeting and we believe that the  process has been slow. This process needs to be accelerated. And  there's no reason why it shouldn't be faster. The key is in the hands  of Baku, and we are interested in the process moving forward, since  we see the entire South Caucasus, including Azerbaijan, as an  important partner for us," he concluded.