Kallas: EU to deepen ties with Azerbaijan, boost demining support

Kaja Kallas, the European Union's foreign policy chief, said EU representatives had discussed further steps in developing relations with Azerbaijan and had not ruled out expanding support for the country in mine clearance.

At a press conference after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, Kallas told Report that the bloc had discussed what more it could do in the context of relations with Azerbaijan.

She said the EU needed to work more actively in a number of areas and strengthen ties on issues of mutual interest such as energy and trade, adding that Azerbaijan has been and remains a very reliable energy partner for EU countries.

Commenting on Baku's call to expand international assistance for demining in Karabakh, Kallas said the EU was already involved in such efforts and did not rule out taking additional steps to support the country in that area.

She said the bloc would examine what more it could do in response to the request, but noted that the specific issue had not been discussed at the meeting.

At the start of the press conference, Kallas said the EU viewed the South Caucasus as a strategically important region. She said Europe was interested in a stable and secure South Caucasus and described progress in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process as a real opportunity for the whole region.

Kallas also highlighted Azerbaijan's important role as a partner in energy and connectivity, saying the EU intended to deepen cooperation and resume talks on a new bilateral agreement in the near future.

She added that the EU was stepping up support for the peace process and had agreed to establish a new civilian mission in Armenia aimed at strengthening the country's resilience, including against disinformation and cyberattacks. At the same time, she said, the bloc hoped to deepen its partnership with Yerevan.