G7 Foreign Ministers Call for Opening Armenia-Turkey Border

The G7 foreign ministers have issued a statement urging Armenia and Azerbaijan to maintain full commitment to the peace process. Further escalation would be unacceptable.

The statement, addressing various issues including the situation in the South Caucasus and Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, emphasized: "We call on Armenia and Azerbaijan to maintain full commitment to the peace process aimed at achieving a dignified and lasting peace, based on the principles of non-use of force, respect for sovereignty, inviolability of borders, and territorial integrity. We remind the parties of the joint statement published on December 7, 2023, and call on them to uphold the spirit of cooperation in their future interactions. Further escalation would be unacceptable."

They also urged Azerbaijan to fully comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law and encouraged appropriate measures to ensure the safe, dignified, and sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced persons wishing to return to their homes.

"The G7 and its members are ready to support further constructive engagement at all levels, particularly within the framework of the negotiation mechanisms provided by the EU and the US, whose tireless efforts we deeply appreciate. We reaffirm the importance of adhering to the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration, in which Armenia and Azerbaijan recognize each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty. We call for the expansion of regional cooperation and the opening of all borders, including the Armenia-Turkey border."