“Dialogue and diplomacy are the only way forward to achieve sustainable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.” During a visit to Armenia on Monday, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade and Chair-in-Office of the OSCE Ian Borg called on the two countries to maintain their commitment to the ongoing peace process.
“After decades of conflict and suffering, it is imperative that the people of Armenia and Azerbaijan finally achieve the peace, security and prosperity they rightfully deserve,” the Minister said.
In the Armenian capital Yerevan, Minister Borg met Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan. The visit also includes a meeting with the President of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan, as well as members of the Armenian delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
The OSCE Chair-in-Office’s visit to Armenia is part of the Maltese Chairpersonship’s efforts to listen to the organisation’s participating states, assess their needs and help them engage in results-oriented dialogue, to strengthen the shared commitment to peace and security in Europe and beyond. Monday’s visit to Armenia will be followed by other meetings in the South Caucasus, including visits to Azerbaijan, on Tuesday, and Georgia, on Wednesday.
“We are convinced that a constructive dialogue among equals, guided by pragmatism and honesty, is indispensable for achieving a comprehensive and lasting settlement,” Minister Borg affirmed, as he welcomed recent peace process advancements by Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“We stand ready to continue supporting efforts to address humanitarian issues, in particular the critical situation of displaced persons and persons living in conflict-affected areas. We will also continue to support all national and international initiatives that deliver tangible results to effectively overcome the conflict,” he added.
In a statement to journalists in Yerevan, the OSCE Chair-in-Office also mentioned the organisation’s need to continue strengthening its role in addressing challenges to peace, prosperity and security in different regions.
“One of the overarching priorities of Malta’s Chairpersonship is to strengthen OSCE’s resilience and functionality, by ensuring a sound financial basis and strong institutional governance. This is a shared responsibility of all 57 participating states to facilitate the necessary decisions. We need the necessary political will and flexibility to build consensus on these crucial issues,” the Minister concluded.
Malta began its 12-month Chairmanship of the OSCE in January, under the theme “Strengthening Resilience, Enhancing Security”, after it was unanimously elected to head this organisation for the first time in its history, in November 2023.
Photos: MFET
