Former NATO Secretary General: It is in Azerbaijan`s interests to  sign a peace treaty with Armenia as soon as possible

ArmInfo. It is in Azerbaijan's interests to sign a peace treaty with Armenia as soon as possible, as stated by former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, a  founder and chairman of Rasmussen Global international political  consultancy organization, during a press conference in Armenia's  Tavush region, while touching upon the prospects of signing a peace  treaty between Yerevan and Baku. According to him, this will help  simplify the establishment of contacts between Azerbaijan and  international players. "I hope that the international community and  the EU countries will exert influence on Azerbaijan to sign this  document as soon as possible," Rasmussen said.

He also expressed concern about the disinformation spread by  Azerbaijan in recent days regarding the violation of the ceasefire on  the border. At the same time, the former NATO Secretary General noted  that he has no reason to claim that Azerbaijan is preparing  for new  aggression against Armenia. Rasmussen also said that he has a meeting  scheduled with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan tomorrow. He  intends to raise several issues during the meeting, including the  Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty, the reasons for its delay in being  signed and what can be done to influence Azerbaijan on this matter.   He also added that he will express support for Pashinyan's  "Crossroads of Peace" initiative. Rasmussen believes that if this  initiative is implemented, it will have a positive impact on the  entire Caucasus. "The EU should provide financial support for the  development of roads, railways, interchanges, etc. Linking Armenia,  Turkey and Azerbaijan with infrastructure will contribute not only to  the establishment of peace, but also to the prosperity of the region.  I also intend to ask about the progress of the civil initiative for  Armenia's European integration," he added. 

The former NATO Secretary General once again emphasized the  importance of unblocking regional communications. He noted that doing  so would not only promote interconnectivity in the South Caucasus,  but  also ensure communication between Europe and India. "I believe  that Azerbaijan could play a vital role here. And we must not forget  that unblocking communications could stimulate cooperation in the  energy sector, where Azerbaijan could also play a certain role and  benefit," he added. Touching upon the fate of Armenian prisoners held  in Azerbaijan, Rasmussen emphasized that they should be released  immediately.  "They should be returned immediately. Well, just   imagine if a peace treaty is signed, then all issues on the bilateral  agenda would be resolved. This is inherent in the peace treaty  itself," the former NATO Secretary General concluded.