President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by the current OSCE Chairman, Malta’s Minister for Foreign, European Affairs and Trade, Ian Borg. This was reported by the press service of the head of state.
Borg stated that Malta supports the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the negotiation process for a peace treaty.
Aliyev emphasized that it was Baku that initiated the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia and that the fundamental principles forming the basis of this process, including the text of the peace agreement, were also prepared and presented for discussion by Azerbaijan. The head of state said that the negotiation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia is currently ongoing to promote the peace agenda.
The head of state noted that although the issue of addressing the consequences of Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan and the occupation of our lands has been on the OSCE’s agenda since the inception of this institution, neither this organization nor the co-chairmanship mechanism of the OSCE Minsk Group took any steps to eliminate the consequences of the conflict, liberate the occupied Azerbaijani territories, or ensure the return of displaced persons. Over these years, the negotiation process conducted by the Minsk Group co-chairs also served to prolong the occupation of Azerbaijani territories.
Aliyev stressed that Azerbaijan, through its will and strength, ended the occupation, ensuring territorial integrity and sovereignty in accordance with the norms and principles of international law and the UN Charter. Stating that the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is now a matter of history and no longer exists, the head of state said that it is time to abolish the OSCE Minsk Group and all related institutions. The Azerbaijani side raised this issue, and there is no reason why the Armenian side would not agree to it.
The meeting included an exchange of views on transportation issues within the OSCE framework.
Borg noted that his country actively supports the concept of small island states and developing states and consistently advocates for the development of relations between these countries and the European Union. He mentioned that Malta is ready to cooperate with our country on this topic, considering that Azerbaijan will chair COP29.
Aliyev emphasized that during our country’s chairmanship of COP29, the issue of small island states and developing states will be one of Azerbaijan’s priorities.
Referring to the visit of Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland to Baku, the President of Azerbaijan touched upon the development of cooperation with small island states within this organization and other countries in this category, discussions on existential problems they face within the COP framework, and the holding of various events. In this context, Azerbaijan’s interest in cooperation with Malta was also expressed.
