The EU has always had a clear position: we will support any agreement that would guarantee a long-term sustainable solution, Toivo Klaar, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia, told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“President Michel emphasized the fact that, in his view, in addition to talks on inter-state relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, it was important to address the issue of the rights and security of the ethnic Armenian population in Karabakh. Interstate relations are naturally very important and need to be normalized. As we know very well, rights and security in an inter-ethnic context were among the core issues at the origin of the conflict. Without addressing this topic, we cannot arrive at a comprehensive lasting solution.

As far as status and self-determination are concerned, the EU has always had a clear position: we will support any agreement that would guarantee a long-term sustainable solution. Peace processes tend to be accompanied by fears, emotions, speculations, and misinterpretations – this is natural. 

In this context, it is important that the process be as transparent as possible so that societies have a clear understanding of what is being discussed. 

There is also a need to defuse tensions and lower the rhetoric. The EU welcomed the remarks made by Armenian Prime Minister N. Pashinyan in Parliament on 13 April and also recent positions expressed by Azerbaijani President I. Aliyev on the need to turn the page of enmity and ensure a safe and positive future for all conflict-affected populations on the ground, be it the ethnic Armenian population or the displaced persons from past hostilities," he noted.