What Will the Summit Involving Armenia and Azerbaijan Provide? The National Interest

The meeting of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and European Council President Charles Michel will allow the EU to play a role in the peaceful negotiations regarding Nagorno-Karabakh, writes The National Interest.

“But what does the EU hope to gain from the upcoming summit with Armenia and Azerbaijan? And how can the EU engage in peaceful negotiations between the two countries? First, the EU must continue providing financial and humanitarian aid to try and resolve the conflict. To date, the EU has provided over €17 million in assistance, which has contributed to efforts including aid to those displaced as a result of the conflict and recovery projects. Although this assistance has not put an end to the war, it has supplied essential items to those affected by the crisis.

Financial aid could also contribute to a post-conflict recovery fund in the future, which could be used for the restoration of infrastructure damaged during the conflict.

Second, the EU can envision a process for peaceful negotiations. Turkey and Russia have been actively working with Armenia and Azerbaijan to establish and maintain a ceasefire. Turkey has sent observers to the region. Russia has deployed peacekeeping forces. Despite these efforts, the ceasefire regime continues to be violated.

By involving the EU, Western organizations could carry out their peacekeeping missions to help ensure the maintenance of the ceasefire regime. Such peacekeeping forces would collaborate with Russia and Turkey to guarantee an end to the violence. This could also lead to the reintroduction of Minsk Group mediation forces in the Karabakh region, which in turn could result in the delimitation of borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Third, the EU needs to cooperate with Armenia and Azerbaijan on economic development in their efforts. The EU could establish a development bank in which both countries would be shareholders. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development could allocate funds to Armenia and Azerbaijan for the recovery of conflict-affected areas.

Finally, the EU could work with Armenia and Azerbaijan to expand their trade opportunities, which would help boost the economies of both countries. Earlier this year, Armenia and Azerbaijan signed an agreement on “economic ties and infrastructure development” under the mediation of Russia. European trade networks could also invite both countries to participate, potentially providing additional economic opportunities for Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The upcoming “Eastern Partnership” summit gives the EU a chance to join the peaceful negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Western organization could provide additional humanitarian assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan, send peacekeepers to the region, and create new economic opportunities. The Karabakh conflict will not be resolved instantly; it will take time to address this crisis, but EU involvement could be an important step in the negotiation process. If President Michel conducts effective discussions with Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Aliyev, EU cooperation with Armenia and Azerbaijan could help bring an end to the Karabakh conflict.”