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Azerbaijani MFA releases information about the visit of the Belgian Minister

24 August 2023 21:47 (UTC +04:00)

On August 24, 2023, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Federal Cultural Institutions of the Kingdom of Belgium, Hadje Lahbib, and the delegation led by her, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, APA reports.

The one-on-one meeting between Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Minister Hadja Lahbib continued with the participation of the delegations of both parties.

During the meeting, Azerbaijan and Belgium engaged in discussions on bilateral and multilateral cooperation issues, as well as exchanging views on regional matters. In the context of emerging new realities in our region, opportunities for further expanding collaboration with Belgium in economic, cultural, trade, alternative energy, high technology, medical, pharmaceutical fields, and more were highlighted.

During the discussions, attention was directed towards Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijani territories for nearly 30 years, the occupation of 9 cities and the displacement of more than 300 villages, and its policy of ethnic cleansing.

During the post-conflict period, the existing regional situation and realities, Azerbaijan's efforts to normalize relations with Armenia, sign a peace agreement, open transportation and communication routes in the region, as well as the actions taken to delimit borders were extensively conveyed by Minister Ceyhun Bayramov. He pointed out Armenia's consistent non-constructive approach, its engagement in military-political provocations, evasion of responsibilities, and the contradictory actions to the Trilateral Statement, including the continued military and mine threats from the direction of Lachin road.

During the meeting, Minister Ceyhun Bayramov provided the opposing side with information about the peace agenda initiated by Azerbaijan, highlighting the country's constructive approach and corresponding efforts. He also informed the opposing side about Armenia's obstinate and provocative stance in contrast, within the framework of this peace agenda.

Particularly, it was noted that Armenia's attempts to obstruct the reintegration of Armenian residents in the Karabakh region by various means, as well as its dissemination of false claims around the Lachin-Shusha road, have been observed. It was also recalled that Armenian residents are using the Lachin road on a daily basis, and for the transportation of large-volume cargoes to the territory, Azerbaijan has proposed the use of the Agdam-Shusha road.

Minister Ceyhun Bayramov also emphasized that turning a blind eye to the occupation policy carried out against Azerbaijan for decades by certain states, as well as the smear campaign against Azerbaijan in the post-conflict period, are nothing more than political manipulation. In this context, the necessity of preventing the misuse of international initiatives as the European Union's mission in the region by Armenia was highlighted.

It was emphasized that Azerbaijan consistently advocates for coexistence, development, and prosperity within the framework of peace and security, ensuring the territorial integrity of our country. Azerbaijan's commitment to continue its efforts in this direction was highlighted.

Subsequently, during the conducted press briefing, the ministers made statements regarding the outcomes of the ministerial meeting and addressed questions from journalists.