Armenia and EU have the opportunity to cooperate in all fields: Ambassador Wiktorin’s exclusive interview to ARMENPRESS
The relations between Armenia and the European Union passed through different phases over the course of the 30 years of cooperation.
Today, Armenia and the EU have defined a very broad circle of cooperation, and the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in 2017 provides the opportunity to cooperate in all fields.
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union, ARMENPRESS State News Agency conducted an interview with the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, H.E. Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin.
In the interview, Ambassador Wiktorin spoke about the relationship between Armenia and the EU and also presented her views on the prospects of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, the negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the normalization process between Armenia and Turkey.
ARMENPRESS: Ms. Ambassador, what kind of perspectives do you see for a long-term peace establishment in the region, including the long-lasting and comprehensive settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the resolution of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan in a broader sense, as we see some negotiation processes by the Russian mediation, by the European mediation on the post-war humanitarian issues, unblocking the transport and economical communications in the region, delimitation and demarcation of state boundaries between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Ambassador Wiktorin: First of all, the EU is interested in reconciliation and a sustainable solution. We regret every incident that happened. It is important to ensure that a proper environment is in place to guarantee progress in the several areas you mentioned. In this context, I have to say that more needs to be done to achieve the return of remaining prisoners, ensure progress in the area of demining as well as the search for missing persons.
Indeed, we welcome all efforts to achieve normalization between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and we are in favor of a comprehensive settlement of all conflict-related issues. The EU strongly supports the ongoing and future talks on the border issues, unblocking of communication links in the region, peace treaty and reconciliation efforts. Since the end of the 2020 war, we have been engaged at the highest level by President Michel to contribute, in addition to other efforts that exist, in the normalization of the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. Our objective is to see successes in all these areas.
ARMENPRESS: One of the key things is the format of diplomatic negotiations to reach a political settlement of any conflict. I mean, before the 2020 war it was much clearer in terms of the format around Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: the three Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France, on behalf of the EU, and the United States, were cooperating constructively to provide mediation between the conflicting sides. Now there is some uncertainty in the post-war situation, as Moscow claims that the Western partners refused to work with Russia inside the Minsk Group. Although both France and the US keep saying that they are willing to work on this issue, including through their role as OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. On this background, we see very active diplomatic efforts by the President of European Council, Mr. Charles Michel, organizing three or four meetings recently between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Is this mediation in the frame of logic of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship or it is somewhat more separate or parallel diplomatic initiative?
Ambassador Wiktorin: The position of the EU has been quite clear before and also during the war that we are in full support of the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group led process. It was really the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, who were in the lead. Yes, you are right that the European Union has undertaken a more active stance now and plays a visible role at the highest possible level, by President Michel, as well as in regular consultations and visits of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar. He was here again on 13 and 14 July. Therefore, we are in very regular contacts, President Michel is personally engaged.
These efforts are in no way in competition or against other actors; I need to underline this as we see many speculations on the matter. We need to speak about complementarity, not competition.
The three trilateral meetings, which took place in December in Brussels, in April, and on May 22, were all meant to support a sustainable solution. At the same time, and I think it’s also appreciated by the leaders, Toivo Klaar, the EU Special Representative initiated high level meetings also hosted in Brussels between the Secretary of the National Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan and Hikmet Hajiyev, Advisor of President of Azerbaijan Aliyev. These high-level interventions, the quality of exchanges are the contribution we can make and EU is really committed to continue our efforts in these formats. Naturally, we listen to what the two countries want. But I repeat again - it is not a competition; it is complementarity with other efforts. We welcomed direct contact that happened on 16 July in Tbilisi. EU welcomes the direct communication that was established between the two foreign ministers. I think all these elements come together, and there are efforts to find sustainable solution between the two countries.
ARMENPRESS: Do you see real chances for normalization of diplomatic relations between Armenia and the other neighbour, Turkey, as a new dialogue between Yerevan and Ankara officially started recently? What is the view of the EU on this issue especially in terms of possibility of opening Armenian-Turkish border?
Ambassador Wiktorin: The European Union is a strong supporter of normalization processes. There were public statements underlining that we support the initiative of direct discussions between Armenia and Turkey. We hope that this will lead to normalization. The phone call between Prime Minister of Armenia Pashinyan and President of Turkey Erdogan was an important step forward. For years the EU has been active and supporting the normalization process between Armenia and Turkey. We want to see progress, because we think that it is for the benefit of the people and will open more opportunities.
