BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. Armenia's refusal to arrange talks with the Azerbaijani side does not contribute to the peace process, Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said during the meeting with Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs of the UK David Lammy within the 4th European Political Community Summit at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani MFA.
During the meeting, various aspects and future prospects of the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the UK were discussed, along with mutual interests in regional and international agendas. The current state of the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia was also a key topic of discussion.
“The special importance of Azerbaijan as a significant trade partner was emphasized, highlighting the mutually beneficial cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom across all spheres, particularly in energy, education, and humanitarian ties.
UK companies are successfully engaged in both the oil and non-oil sectors of Azerbaijan's economy, with ample opportunities for further enhancing economic cooperation.
Additionally, the parties discussed cooperation in green energy and recognized the extensive prospects in this field. Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) was noted as potentially strengthening climate action within the current cooperation agenda.
Acknowledging the mine threat faced by Azerbaijan, the importance of humanitarian demining support was underscored.
During the meeting, the sides highlighted the significance of ongoing dialogues, mutual visits, and contacts between the two countries, including political consultations, which have significantly contributed to bilateral relations.
Minister Bayramov provided updates on the regional situation, including Azerbaijan's efforts in the peace process, its stance on normalizing relations with Armenia, and ongoing restoration and reconstruction efforts in recently liberated territories. It was noted that despite substantial progress in negotiations towards a peace agreement with Armenia, persistent claims on Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty in Armenia's Constitution and legislative acts remain the principal obstacles in the peace process.
The Azerbaijani minister expressed gratitude for the efforts to convene a meeting between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia on the initiative and with the participation of the British Prime Minister during the European Political Community summit, emphasizing that Armenia's refusal to engage is hindering the peace process.
Additionally, the sides exchanged views on various other bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest during the meeting,” the ministry said.
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