Successful 5-hour meeting in Brussels: "Processes developing in interests of official Baku"

"Until now, the main factor hindering the peace process was Armenia's position. Because the most critical component in reaching an agreement is the recognition of each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty in post-conflict conditions," Former Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Tofig Zulfugarov told Report while commenting on the meeting of President Ilham Aliyev with the President of the European Council and the Prime Minister of Armenia in Brussels.

Zulfugarov said that the trilateral meeting in Brussels was initiated by France:

"It does not matter to us where the meeting will take place. The main issue is to take steps in our interests. Official Baku wants to sign a final peace agreement and Yerevan to be pressured do so. In this regard, our priority is that our requirements are met. We are ready to participate in all negotiations. What is important is what is offered to Azerbaijan."

According to the former minister, the Brussels meeting was successful for Azerbaijan.

"This, of course, is not only a diplomatic success for Azerbaijan but also the result of our pressure. On the other hand, it shows that the processes are developing in the interests of official Baku," he said.

A meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was held in Brussels on April 6 at the initiative of the European Union. A statement issued following the meeting, which lasted about 5 hours, said that the parties had begun negotiations on a peace agreement.