Arminfo.info


 Monday, August 5 2024 15:37
Marianna Mkrtchyan

Toivo Klaar: Most of the draft peace treaty between Yerevan and Baku has already been agreed upon

Toivo Klaar: Most of the draft peace treaty between Yerevan and Baku has already been agreed upon

ArmInfo. Most of the draft peace treaty between Yerevan and Baku has already been agreed upon.  This was stated by Toivo Klaar, the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia "The only thing missing is the political will needed to reach the finish line. We have been encouraged by the latest intensive exchanges of drafts and the recent trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan with U.S. Secretary of State Blinken in Washington DC on 10 July 2024.  We firmly believe that reaching a final agreement on the remaining issues and wording is within reach," Klaar said in an interview with Jam-news.

At the same time, he expressed confidence that the peace treaty and its subsequent implementation will fundamentally change the situation in the region. " I believe the leaders also share this view and will undertake all the efforts needed to reach a final agreement on the matter However, the fact that they did not meet during the recent European Political Community summit in the UK it is also a reminder how fragile the process still is. It does not show lack of commitment by either side, but illustrates well the sensitivities associated not only with the substance, but also with the process of the normalisation deliberations," the EU official added.

At the same time, he expressed his conviction that the signing of the treaty would be a major achievement. 

"But agreements of course need to be implemented and so a peace agreement will only be a waypoint towards normalisation. In the end, peace is about people, and normalisation of relations must mean normalisation at the societal level.

Much of the peace process has been quite top-down, and what is ultimately needed is a genuine opening, including through cross border trade and connectivity of the region, and making peace and stability feel normal for the populations on both sides," he added.  In this vein, Klaar noted that based on the above, he had placed a great deal of emphasis in his work on confidence-building, dialogue and reconciliation efforts around formal negotiation processes, and the EU has been supporting such activities for many years to help create a favorable environment for real peace.

" The international community will need to remain engaged both politically and financially, also after the signature of a peace agreement. But the onus, as now, will remain on the leaderships in Yerevan and Baku to not stop half way, but to continue all the way towards a full normalisation of relations, not only between governments, but also between peoples," the EU official said.  When asked to assess the EU's mediation efforts, Klaar noted that After the 2020 war the EU, mostly at the request of the parties themselves, started to play a more prominent role, which culminated with the series of high-level trilateral meetings between President Michel, Azerbaijani President Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan.

" I believe that these meetings - in addition to efforts undertaken by other international actors - provided the two leaders with the necessary space to reach some common understandings on the main issues at stake:  the peace treaty, border delimitation and demarcation, the reopening of regional economic and transport links, and humanitarian issues.We had six meetings of the leaders in Brussels between 14 December 2021 and 15 July 2023, we had numerous high-level telephone exchanges, and we organised meetings of the security advisors here.  Combined with my visits to Baku and Yerevan, and the wider region, I believe that the EU helped create a certain framework, based on which the leaders could give the Foreign Ministers, the Deputy Prime Ministers and other key actors guidance, and steer for further negotiations Over the past months, the bilateral track between Armenia and Azerbaijan has managed to produce concrete positive outcomes," he told.

According to him, the EU has welcomed all these developments, be it the 7 December 2023 joint statement on releases of detainees and COP29, or the more recent agreements on border delimitation and demarcation of 19 April 2024, with their subsequent implementation.  "The latter are based precisely on the common understandings that had been reached earlier with our involvement, for instance on the unambiguous acceptance of the 1991 Almaty Declaration as the basis for the delimitation of the bilateral border.

Finally, even though we have seen more bilateral meetings recently, the EU stands ready to again step in as a facilitator when requested by the parties," Klaar concluded.

POST A COMMENT
Input digits     

News
Lawyer: Lawyer: "Chief Investigator" "instructed" to search the place where  we, as Christians, enter with reverence
Lawyer: Any new action by security forces at the Mother See of Holy  Etchmiadzin will be considered a Lawyer: Any new action by security forces at the Mother See of Holy  Etchmiadzin will be considered a "deliberate encroachment"
Seyran Ohanyan stripped of his parliamentary immunitySeyran Ohanyan stripped of his parliamentary immunity
Armenian wrestlers return with medals from  European Freestyle  Wrestling Championship  in ItalyArmenian wrestlers return with medals from  European Freestyle  Wrestling Championship  in Italy
NA ruling faction members approved Prosecutor General`s motion to  prosecute Artsvik MinasyanNA ruling faction members approved Prosecutor General`s motion to  prosecute Artsvik Minasyan
Foreign Minister: Armenia has decided to enlarge, increase its  participation in the SCOForeign Minister: Armenia has decided to enlarge, increase its  participation in the SCO
Moody`s upgrades Converse Bank`s ratingsMoody`s upgrades Converse Bank`s ratings
RA Investigative Committee  press secretary responds to Galstanyan`s  lawyer`s statement  that  published recording was falsified and taken  out of contextRA Investigative Committee  press secretary responds to Galstanyan`s  lawyer`s statement  that  published recording was falsified and taken  out of context
RA National Security Council Secretary receives Ambassador of SwedenRA National Security Council Secretary receives Ambassador of Sweden
Saakashvili: Pashinyan has officially taken a course on EU membershipSaakashvili: Pashinyan has officially taken a course on EU membership
Swedish Ambassador concludes his mission in ArmeniaSwedish Ambassador concludes his mission in Armenia
Prosecutor General asks for criminal prosecution against a member of  Armenia`s National AssemblyProsecutor General asks for criminal prosecution against a member of  Armenia`s National Assembly
Geghard Foundation: Any state that  supports Aliyev`s rhetoric  complicit with Azerbaijan in the event of future aggression in the  regionGeghard Foundation: Any state that  supports Aliyev`s rhetoric  complicit with Azerbaijan in the event of future aggression in the  region
Kremlin: Moscow and Baku should remain partners and alliesKremlin: Moscow and Baku should remain partners and allies
Ruling elite focuses efforts on internal policy, ignoring external  challenges - opposition MPRuling elite focuses efforts on internal policy, ignoring external  challenges - opposition MP
Official unveiling ceremony of Charles Aznavour`s monument to take  place in Yerevan on July 18Official unveiling ceremony of Charles Aznavour`s monument to take  place in Yerevan on July 18
Preliminary investigation into riots in Syunik completed Preliminary investigation into riots in Syunik completed 
 Armenia`s Ministry of Environment proposes introducing institute of  extended producer responsibility for producers  Armenia`s Ministry of Environment proposes introducing institute of  extended producer responsibility for producers 
Caucasus has no patience to experience one more conflict - Recep  Erdogan Caucasus has no patience to experience one more conflict - Recep  Erdogan 
Armenian premier`s statement order to Prosecutor`s Office - lawyers Armenian premier`s statement order to Prosecutor`s Office - lawyers 
`Terrorism` case means of pressing `unwelcome ones` - lawyer `Terrorism` case means of pressing `unwelcome ones` - lawyer 
Yerevan must meet growing demand for sports competitions - mayor Yerevan must meet growing demand for sports competitions - mayor 
Isolation of clergymen and businessman shows bankruptcy and fears of  ruling regime - expertIsolation of clergymen and businessman shows bankruptcy and fears of  ruling regime - expert
Digital broadcasting to be suspended in Armenia Digital broadcasting to be suspended in Armenia 
Muster of reservists to take place in Armenia Sept 23 to Nov 28Muster of reservists to take place in Armenia Sept 23 to Nov 28
Armenian MP proposes using `political persecution` in place of  `prosecution`Armenian MP proposes using `political persecution` in place of  `prosecution`
Political scientist Karen Igityan prohibited from entering ArmeniaPolitical scientist Karen Igityan prohibited from entering Armenia
Armenia`s premier addresses message concerning Catholicos Garegin II Armenia`s premier addresses message concerning Catholicos Garegin II 
Armenia`s territory cannot be used by third countries for military  operations - RA MFA Armenia`s territory cannot be used by third countries for military  operations - RA MFA 
Armenian MFA summons Russian Ambassador over “hostile propaganda” against it Armenian MFA summons Russian Ambassador over “hostile propaganda” against it
Archbishops Mikael Ajapakhian and Bagrat Galstanian, currently in NSS  detention center, go on hunger strikeArchbishops Mikael Ajapakhian and Bagrat Galstanian, currently in NSS  detention center, go on hunger strike
Holy Etchmiadzin issued statement expressing indignation at   reprehensible campaign unleashed by Holy Etchmiadzin issued statement expressing indignation at   reprehensible campaign unleashed by 
Under  hashtag #MERDZEVOV, march in support of political prisoner,  well-known businessman and entrepreneur Samvel Karapetyan starting on  the central boulevard of YerevanUnder  hashtag #MERDZEVOV, march in support of political prisoner,  well-known businessman and entrepreneur Samvel Karapetyan starting on  the central boulevard of Yerevan
A march in support of Samvel Karapetyan started in YerevanA march in support of Samvel Karapetyan started in Yerevan
A leader without trust, an opposition without support and peace  without concessions:  Nikol Pashinyan`s 7 years in powerA leader without trust, an opposition without support and peace  without concessions:  Nikol Pashinyan`s 7 years in power
Armenian Cathedral of Ani to function as a mosque after restorationArmenian Cathedral of Ani to function as a mosque after restoration
IDBank issues the 3rd, 4th and 5th tranches of bonds of 2025IDBank issues the 3rd, 4th and 5th tranches of bonds of 2025
Christian Solidarity International urges UN Human Rights Council to  appoint a special rapporteur for Nagorno-KarabakhChristian Solidarity International urges UN Human Rights Council to  appoint a special rapporteur for Nagorno-Karabakh
Armenia`s public multiplex  should not be used to serve foreign  policy agendas - StatementArmenia`s public multiplex  should not be used to serve foreign  policy agendas - Statement
Lawyer: the next part of Marlezon Ballet being staged in parliamentLawyer: the next part of Marlezon Ballet being staged in parliament
Alen Simonyan believes that Catholicos of All Armenians will soon  vacate Patriarchal throneAlen Simonyan believes that Catholicos of All Armenians will soon  vacate Patriarchal throne
Armenian Court of Appeal upholds Samvel Karapetyan`s arrestArmenian Court of Appeal upholds Samvel Karapetyan`s arrest
Lindsay Snell calls for support of  ANCA initiative to launch a  bipartisan Congressional letter in defense of Artsakh Armenians Lindsay Snell calls for support of  ANCA initiative to launch a  bipartisan Congressional letter in defense of Artsakh Armenians 
According to recording, <Tashir Samvel> was supposed to join later,  and Bagrat Galstanyan speaks about this: RA NA Speaker According to recording, was supposed to join later,  and Bagrat Galstanyan speaks about this: RA NA Speaker 
Levon Kocharyan is not a political figure: Alen Simonyan does not  comment on his remarksLevon Kocharyan is not a political figure: Alen Simonyan does not  comment on his remarks
Taguhi Tovmasyan to RA Prosecutor General: Maybe you haven`t received   SMS, and there is no political expediency in punishing Civil  Contract`s favorite businessman ?Taguhi Tovmasyan to RA Prosecutor General: Maybe you haven`t received   SMS, and there is no political expediency in punishing Civil  Contract`s favorite businessman ?
French Arnouville adopts resolution condemning unfair expulsion of   ICRC from AzerbaijanFrench Arnouville adopts resolution condemning unfair expulsion of   ICRC from Azerbaijan
Gegham Stepanyan: Artsakh art historians have no legal issues in  Armenia, difficulties exist only in practical fieldGegham Stepanyan: Artsakh art historians have no legal issues in  Armenia, difficulties exist only in practical field
All conversations and a fragment of the recording with Archbishop  Bagrat Galstanyan are manipulative - ARFAll conversations and a fragment of the recording with Archbishop  Bagrat Galstanyan are manipulative - ARF
Azerbaijan holding 17th ECO summit in occupied StepanakertAzerbaijan holding 17th ECO summit in occupied Stepanakert
Vahagn Chakhalyan detained Vahagn Chakhalyan detained 
RA Prosecutor General personally submitted report on Samvel  Karapetyan, which is evidence of political persecution - lawyer RA Prosecutor General personally submitted report on Samvel  Karapetyan, which is evidence of political persecution - lawyer 
Azerbaijani regime continues crackdown on journalists Azerbaijani regime continues crackdown on journalists 
RA FM holds farewell meeting with Swedish ambassador to Armenia RA FM holds farewell meeting with Swedish ambassador to Armenia 
Transport movement to be stopped in some of Yerevan`s neighborhoods  on July 4 and 5 Transport movement to be stopped in some of Yerevan`s neighborhoods  on July 4 and 5 
Cultural return must be cause of return to Artsakh - ex-minister of  culture Cultural return must be cause of return to Artsakh - ex-minister of  culture 
`Armenia`s ruling force staging performance against me` - Seyran  Ohanyan `Armenia`s ruling force staging performance against me` - Seyran  Ohanyan 
RA NA discussing consent to prosecution of MPs Seyran Ohanyan and  Artsvik Minasyan RA NA discussing consent to prosecution of MPs Seyran Ohanyan and  Artsvik Minasyan 
Yerevan hopes for strategic partnership with Washington Yerevan hopes for strategic partnership with Washington 
Pashinyan to Trump: `I highly appreciate your vision for ending  conflicts and establishing peace in the world`Pashinyan to Trump: `I highly appreciate your vision for ending  conflicts and establishing peace in the world`
Read more



Commented