Speaking to Radio Liberty station, EU foreign policy Spokesperson Peter Stano referred to Azerbaijan's attacks on the territory of Armenia and the border delimitation process.
“The European Union has a very clear approach: international law must be respected, it cannot be violated. And the problems should be solved around the negotiation table. That is why we are heavily involved in supporting the negotiation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia to solve all existing problems,” Stano noted, adding that in the end, Azerbaijan and Armenia should find the solution themselves, no one can force any solution on the parties.
Referring to the violation of agreements reached by Azerbaijan on the European platform of negotiations, Stano noted: “The European Union cannot play the role of referee here.”
To the question of whether the violator of international law should not bear responsibility, the representative of the EU said: “We have the United Nations, we have the UN Security Council, and any country is free to bring issues to the Security Council, the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court. This is the existing system that we want to strengthen.”
Stano commented on the issue of the right of Karabakh Armenians to live in their homeland, and noted that it is still on the agenda.
“We know very well what effect it has on the Armenian people, on the Armenian society, how important it is for the Armenian people, but also for Azerbaijan. Because these people are from Azerbaijan, from Nagorno-Karabakh. Nagorno-Karabakh has always been de jure Azerbaijan for us,” Stano said.
According to him, in order to solve the problem of Karabakh Armenians, it is necessary to work with all interested parties. “We continue to appeal to our Azerbaijani partners to provide assurances and tell these people very frankly and clearly that they can return without any threat and without any concern, that their property must be respected, and cultural and religious symbols and property must be respected. This issue is not closed, and we raise it every time we have the opportunity with Armenia, but also with Azerbaijan,” the Speaker noted.
