Yerevan: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev participated in the 8th Summit of the European Political Community (EPC) hosted in Yerevan, Armenia, through a video link, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, President Aliyev began his address by thanking President Ant³nio Costa for the invitation to participate in the summit. He acknowledged previous discussions with President Costa and President von der Leyen about hosting a future summit in Armenia and expressed support for a balanced approach by inviting EPC members to Azerbaijan in 2028. This mutual support between Azerbaijan and Armenia is seen as a testament to the peace achieved between the two countries over the last nine months.
President Aliyev highlighted the signing of a Joint Declaration between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington last August, witnessed by former President Trump, as a pivotal moment in their peace process. He noted that Azerbaijan has lifted transit restrictions on Armenia, initiated trade by supplying oil products, and is working on the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity to enhance connectivity between the regions. He expressed gratitude to the European Commission for supporting the peace process but criticized the European Parliament and PACE for their double standards and sanctions against Azerbaijan. In response, Azerbaijan suspended cooperation with the European Parliament and initiated steps to exit the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly.
Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, speaking at the summit, emphasized the unprecedented peace achieved with Azerbaijan, with no casualties reported for two years. He highlighted the collaborative efforts to institutionalize peace and noted the historic participation of President Aliyev, albeit via video link, in the event held in Armenia. Pashinyan expressed hope for Aliyev’s visit to Armenia in 2028 for the 10th EPC Summit.
President of the European Council Ant³nio Costa acknowledged the historical significance of the summit, attributing it to the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He praised the agreement as a positive story within Europe amid global conflicts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy conveyed a message of sustainable peace for both Armenia and Azerbaijan, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney extended his congratulations for the peace progress and greeted President Aliyev.
The summit underscored the commitment of Armenia and Azerbaijan to a peaceful future and the importance of international support in maintaining stability in the region.