News - Newspaper: Ambassador on EU reaction to possible attack on Armenia: Almaty declaration is basis to us

Zhoghovurd daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes as follows, in particulate: "To us the basis for the border delimitation and demarcation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan is the Almaty declaration, which was signed by both countries." This was reported by the embassy of the European Union [(EU)] in Armenia in response to the question of Zhoghovurd daily. Zhoghovurd daily had petitioned to the EU mission office in the RA to get a position on the situation around Tavush [Province of Armenia]. In response to our questions, the EU embassy in the RA gave the following answer: "Armenia and Azerbaijan are signatories to the 1991 Almaty declaration, by which 11 Soviet Republics declared that their administrative borders could be their international borders. This commitment was reaffirmed by [Armenian] Prime Minister Pashinyan and [Azerbaijani] President Aliyev in 2022 in Prague. This is also the basis for the recognition of each of these countries by the EU. The administrative border has never been an international border; therefore, it is necessary to delimit and demarcate it properly, but to us, the Almaty declaration, which was signed by both countries, is the basis. As you know, the EU is actively engaged in the peace settlement process, (…), and as for border delimitation, it is clear that it is done at the bilateral level, and we support solutions consistent with the provisions of international law and the Almaty declaration. In this process, naturally, all territories should be discussed, including those where the Azerbaijani [army] units are located and which were part of the Armenian SSR, as well as the territories where the Armenian units are located and which were in the territory that was part of the Azerbaijan SSR. The EU has always emphasized the need to refrain from any threats, as well as to solve all unresolved problems by Armenia and Azerbaijan exclusively in a peaceful way. (…)."