Any Concerns Must Be Addressed in the Context of Negotiations: Toivo Klaar

In an interview with 'Liberty', Toivo Klaar, the European Union’s special representative for the South Caucasus, discussed various issues related to the region. When asked about Azerbaijani President Aliyev's statement regarding international partners' understanding of the need to establish an Azerbaijani checkpoint in Lachin, similar to Armenia's desire to place a checkpoint on the road connecting Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan, Klaar responded:

“I do not know whether there are discussions with other partners. I can say that, from our perspective, first and foremost, there are agreements that were reached in the context of the November 9 ceasefire agreement. And then, of course, there is the ongoing negotiation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which we actively support. Therefore, I think this is a matter that needs to be discussed in the context of that document and that process,” said the EU special representative.

In response to a question from the media on what guarantees will be established for the security of Armenians if the document implies that Nagorno-Karabakh is within Azerbaijan, Klaar stated:

“I don’t want to predict what the final document will look like. I believe that, regardless of whether the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan are viewed in one context and the rights and security of the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh in another context, what is important is to achieve a comprehensive solution to the conflict. A conflict that has created significant issues in this region for over thirty years. It holds back Armenia, it holds back Azerbaijan, and the entire region. So a comprehensive solution to the conflict is in everyone's interest. And I truly hope we can help advance this process.”