Azeri President Ilham Aliyev has said that Azerbaijan is ready to start negotiations with Armenia to sign a peace treaty, but Yerevan has not yet responded to the proposal.
Aliyev made the remarks in a phone conversation with the head of the European Council Charles Michel, during which the sides discussed the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border.
Michel, meanwhile, recalled that the full implementation of the November 9, 2020 ceasefire statement by Azerbaijan and Armenia is essential for regional security and stability. He said the EU is ready to provide expertise on border delimitation and demarcation and to support confidence building.
The European Union has a profound interest in the security, stability and prosperity of the South Caucasus region as an integral part of the EU's Eastern Partnership, according to a press release from the Council of Europe.
On the morning of May 12, the armed forces of Azerbaijan violated the border of Armenia in the southern province of Syunik, advancing 3.5 kilometers and surrounding Sev Lake, which is situated on the border between the two countries but is predominantly a part of Armenia. On May 13, the Azerbaijani military committed more border violations against Armenia, advancing near Vardenis (Gegharkunik province) and Sisian (Syunik province). One Armenian serviceman was killed in Azerbaijan’s shooting on May 25, while six others were captured on May 27.
