The European Union (EU) has quite close ties with Azerbaijan in the energy sector, and therefore the EU should effectively use that leverage so that Azerbaijan signs a peace treaty with Armenia. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, founding president of Rasmussen Global international political consultancy organization and former NATO Secretary General, told this to a press conference in Ijevan, Armenia on Thursday.

Also, Rasmussen expressed hope that the international community will exert maximum pressure on Azerbaijan to achieve the signing of a peace agreement with Armenia.

The former NATO Secretary General expressed a belief that the international community will exert influence on Azerbaijan, and demand that it sign the aforesaid agreement as soon as possible.

Rasmussen added that he wants the international community to send a signal to Azerbaijan that any military action or attack on Armenia will be unacceptable to the international community.

And speaking about the Crossroads of Peace initiative of Armenia, Rasmussen said he did not know Azerbaijan's position on this matter, adding that it was about the prospect of connecting Europe and India.

From a geographical point of view, Azerbaijan can play a vital role in this and benefit from expanded cooperation in the energy sector, noted the NATO former Secretary General.