"It Is Impossible to Achieve Resolution Without Considering the Views of Artsakh Armenians" Says EU Special Representative

"It is impossible to achieve resolution without considering the views of Artsakh Armenians," stated Toivo Klaar, the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, in an interview with Azatutyun. This remark came in response to a question about whether European Council President Charles Michel had in mind the participation of Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh when he announced after a trilateral meeting in Brussels that discussions on all key issues with the involvement of all interested parties were necessary for lasting and fair peace.

"I believe that in the end, the Armenians of Artsakh are certainly one side that must be part of the solution, however it may happen... And it is very clear that the people living in Artsakh have a fundamental interest in achieving a comprehensive settlement. Personally, I do not see how we can reach such a resolution without considering the opinions and perspectives of these people," he noted.

Nevertheless, following a meeting with Nikol Pashinyan and Ilham Aliyev, Charles Michel only spoke about the rights of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, without mentioning anything about the future status, which raised concerns in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. "I think the question ultimately is that this should be a comprehensive settlement. And we all know how the conflict began, and it needs to be finally closed. President Michel did not mention much in his statement either. This was not a statement that encompassed all the issues that need to be resolved. But the fact is that we have always emphasized that a comprehensive resolution of the conflict is necessary, and we are working towards that," he added.