Hipper: EU seeks to strengthen its contribution to processes in South Caucasus - EXCLUSIVE

Regular visits of the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Magdalena Grono, to Azerbaijan and Armenia over the past year have been focusing on EU's contribution to the advancement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, regional cooperation, connectivity and humanitarian issues such as demining efforts and missing persons, Anitta Hipper, the Lead Spokesperson for the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, told Report.

"Her recent visit to Baku and her ongoing visit to Yerevan are part of her regular high-level consultations with both Azerbaijan and Armenia, in addition to her almost daily contacts with representatives of both leaderships," Hipper said.

According to her, the EU strongly supports the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan:

"We have been working for years with both parties and international partners to create the conditions for lasting peace. We warmly welcomed the finalization of the negotiations on the draft agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia in March 2025 and its initialling by the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the White House in August 2025."

Hipper added that the EU has been "encouraging both sides to proceed with the timely implementation of all agreed steps, notably the signing and ratification of the peace treaty, and stand ready to provide additional support, in agreement with the sides."

Magdalena Grono has visited the South Caucasus twice within a relatively short period. In late August and early September, she traveled to Baku, Nakhchivan and Yerevan, and in early November she again held talks in Azerbaijan before visiting Armenia a week later. Analysts interpret this level of activity as the EU"s attempt to strengthen its presence in the region, given its strategic importance for regional connectivity, transport corridors and Europe"s secure energy supply - both through natural gas exports and the potential of future green energy.