Toivo Klaar: EU have not agreed on the issue of the mission with the Azerbaijani authorities because it is after all on the territory of Armenia

“EU have not agreed on the issue of the mission with the Azerbaijani authorities because it is after all on the territory of Armenia”, The European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar said in his interview to Azerbaijani news agency.

He also mentioned, “Regarding the mission in Armenia, we have absolutely been informing the Azerbaijani authorities, we have been transparent with the Azerbaijani authorities. We have not agreed on this with the Azerbaijani authorities because it is after all on the territory of Armenia but we have been absolutely transparent about what it is that we are doing, what the purpose of this mission is, and about the activities of the mission. We see the purpose of the mission as building confidence both regarding the situation on the Armenian - Azerbaijani border, but also in the Armenian communities along the international border and as contributing to the peace process. That is a very important element because in our view the role of the mission is to support the peace process, it is not an alternative, it is certainly not a substitute. It is something that in our view needs to serve as an accelerator of the peace process and to also help the Armenians who are feeling somewhat insecure, to more actively engage in the peace process, and to work towards good outcomes. So, that is the purpose we have this mission”.

Regarding the rumors about sending an EU mission to Artsakh, Klaar said that the issue of sending a mission to Artsakh was not discussed with Armenia. He also stated that the EU mission, EU mediation has never really been about the Brussels process versus any other process. EU just wanted to support peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “ And in that regard, our position has always been that whoever as an outside actor is willing and interested in supporting this, we are happy to work with them and we are happy to coordinate with them” added the EU representative.