Yerevan (Brussels Morning Newspaper): President of the European Council, António Costa, and Armenia’s Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, had a telephone conversation.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has congratulated António Costa on his election to the President of the European Council, according to ARMENPRESS. Meanwhile, Nikol Pashinyan wished good health and expressed his satisfaction with the current state of cooperation between Armenia, and the European Union, the Armenian Prime Minister’s Office said in a readout.
In answer to a query by the President of the European Council, António Costa, PM Pashinyan briefed him regarding the current shape of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace approach and stressed that the Armenian Government will not turn from the plan of peace. The President of the European Council and the Armenian Prime Minister consented to persistent dialogue on forthcoming suitable events.
EU relations with Armenia:
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is one of the most salient aspects of EU relations, with the former operating within this complex geopolitical environment. It is only lately that the EU’s role in peacemaking between the two has risen, especially since Azerbaijan’s military offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh forced out more than 100,000 Armenians. Traditionally, the EU has maintained an eclecticism, reaching out to both sides and largely deferring mediation to the OSCE Minsk Group.
Deploying civilian observers in Armenia and increasing diplomatic contacts is an activity with which the EU intends to bolster its status as a neutral facilitator that contradicts historical dominance over this area given to Russia. Its involvement, Armenia hopes, will strengthen security commitments while further pushing democratization there. Yet, the EU is being confronted with significant difficulties in establishing a single common foreign policy for the conflict. Member states do have different attitudes towards Azerbaijan, particularly because Azerbaijan is an energy partner for Europe.
