EU welcomes progress made one year after Azerbaijan-Armenia Washington agreements - Exclusive

The European Union considers the lifting of trade and transit restrictions and expanded contacts between Azerbaijani and Armenian communities among the key achievements of the year since the initialling of the draft peace agreement between the two countries, Anitta Hipper, spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS), told Report's European bureau.

She said that the initialling of the draft peace agreement and the signing of a joint declaration on the peace process on August 8, 2025, marked "historic steps" towards the full normalisation of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"Since then, the sides have made important progress, which has brought benefits to both countries," Hipper said.

The EU has highlighted the lifting of trade and transit restrictions, the release of detainees and expanded contacts between representatives of the two countries under the Peace Bridge initiative.

At the same time, Brussels believes that the agreements reached must continue to be implemented and that the peace treaty should be signed and ratified.

The EU also supports further practical steps towards normalisation, including expanded cooperation in connectivity, trade and energy, Hipper said.

She added that continued progress on the delimitation and demarcation of the border, the resolution of humanitarian issues and efforts towards reconciliation, including at the societal level, also remain important.

"The EU stands ready to provide further support and expertise in all these areas," the EU official said.

The draft agreement on the establishment of peace and interstate relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan was initialled in Washington on August 8, 2025, in the presence of US President Donald Trump, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.