ArmInfo.The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are primarily responsible for finding solutions to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Andrea Wiktorin stated this in an interview at the Media Center, referring to the settlement of the Karabakh conflict and the role of the European Union.
At the same time, she recalled that the European Union, after the end of hostilities, has repeatedly declared its readiness to do much more for the peace process. In this vein, the diplomat drew attention to the fact that the EU, both during the war and after it, provided direct humanitarian assistance. "We also provide assistance to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is also represented in Nagorno-Karabakh and provides internal assistance there, as we cannot carry out activities inside Nagorno-Karabakh. We have repeatedly noted that we are ready to do more", Wiktorin emphasized once again, while adding that President of the European Council, Charles Michel, takes a personal interest in this issue and has taken part in various initiatives. In this vein, she recalled that with his assistance last summer, in November 2021 and in February of this year, groups of Armenian prisoners of war were returned from Azerbaijan. The diplomat noted that the EU is ready to do more to resolve humanitarian issues.
Speaking about the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the possibility of establishing a special EU monitoring mission on the border, the Ambassador noted that Brussels offered its services and assistance. "Toivo Klaar, the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, and I held special discussions here, and we are ready and willing to help improve the border situation if we are invited. This is the main condition, that is, they should turn to us so that we can help. We can also assist in the issue of delimitation and demarcation of the border, which is also difficult to move forward, if, of course, they turn to us. We are in touch with both sides", she said, once again pointing out the importance of dialogue between the parties to the conflict.
The diplomat also disagreed with the statements of the President of Azerbaijan regarding the fact that the Karabakh conflict has been resolved. According to Wikkorin, there are so many open questions that it cannot be said that the conflict has been resolved. "We are ready to assist in finding solutions to the problem at any stage, and at any step we will consult with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, as this is also the position of the RA government as well," the European diplomat said.