Azerbaijan and EU Discuss Regional Security and Cooperation in Baku Meeting
Baku, The Gulf Observer: Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elnur Mammadov held a meeting with Magdalena Grono, the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus, who led an EU delegation to discuss bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
At the start of the meeting, Magdalena Grono conveyed condolences for the recent Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash and reiterated the EU’s readiness to assist Azerbaijan in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The discussions focused on strengthening Azerbaijan-EU relations in various sectors, including economy, trade, energy, transport, and communications. Both parties underscored Azerbaijan’s critical role in Europe’s energy security and expressed optimism about advancing green energy projects to enhance their collaboration.
They also explored joint contributions to environmental protection, addressing ecological threats, and supporting Azerbaijan’s green transition. The talks highlighted the significance of Azerbaijan’s recent success in hosting the 29th session of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29).
Elnur Mammadov provided an update on the regional situation following Azerbaijan’s restoration of its territorial integrity and sovereignty. He outlined the progress in peace negotiations with Armenia, the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to liberated territories, and the challenges posed by landmines in these areas.
The Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of addressing the fate of missing Azerbaijanis from the former Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and called for EU support in demining efforts and restoring regional communication links.
Mammadov also expressed concerns over the EU mission’s activities in Armenia and the provision of arms to Armenia through the European Peace Facility (EPF). He stated that such actions hinder the peace process and could embolden revanchist attitudes against Azerbaijan.
The meeting highlighted the shared commitment to advancing Azerbaijan-EU cooperation while addressing key regional challenges and fostering reconciliation efforts in the South Caucasus.
