“The European Union is currently engaged in the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. These issues were discussed at the most recent meeting held on April 6 (the President is referring to the meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Brussels—Ed.). As you know, in order to normalize relations between the two countries, Azerbaijan put forward a proposal consisting of five principles. The Armenian side welcomed this proposal and made relevant statements before the meeting in Brussels”, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said at the meeting devoted to the results of the first quarter of this year on April 12, according to AZERTAC.
“At the Brussels meeting, I once again wanted to see for myself and make sure that Armenia accepts these five principles. Thus, Armenia recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and renounces its territorial claims.
“This is a very positive moment, and I think it is a fundamental condition for the normalization of bilateral relations. It was decided that working groups would be set up to deal with the border issues and with the drafting of a peace treaty. As you know, recently the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia had, perhaps, the first phone conversation in recent history. We also regard this as a positive development.
“The relations between the two countries must be worked out by the two countries. Those who wish to help in this matter can do so. This is our position. I believe that the working groups for border delimitation, which will be set up by the end of April, and the working groups for the drafting of a peace treaty should begin their work shortly. We have very high hopes for this process, and we should not waste time. In any case, we are in favor of not wasting any time in getting down to the matter.
“Thus, the policy we have been pursuing immediately after the war, our efforts in international organizations, our bilateral relations with major states, as well as developments in Karabakh and East Zangezur have shaped today’s realities,” the President said.