Politics

Pashinyan, Macron, Scholz and Michel adopted a joint statement

A quadrilateral meeting of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Council President Charles Michel took place in Granada within the framework of the third summit of the European Political Community. As a result of the latter, a joint statement was adopted, in which it is specifically stated:

"European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Granada. European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emmanu,el Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized their unwavering support for Armenia's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders.

They also expressed their support for the strengthening of EU-Armenia relations in all dimensions based on the needs of the Republic of Armenia. They have agreed to provide additional humanitarian aid to Armenia as it faces the consequences of the recent mass deportation of Karabakh Armenians.

They emphasized that these refugees should freely enjoy the right to return to their homes and places of residence without any conditions, under international monitoring and with due respect for their history, culture and human rights.

They remain committed to all efforts to normalize relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan based on mutual recognition of each other's sovereignty, border inviolability and territorial integrity (Armenia's 29,800 square km and Azerbaijan's 86,600 square km), as stated in President Michel's decree of May 14, 2023 and in the announcements of July 15. They called for strict observance of the principle of non-use of force and threat of force.

They emphasized the urgent need to work towards the demarcation of the borders, based on the latest maps of the USSR General Staff provided to the parties, which should also be the basis for the withdrawal of forces, the finalization of the peace agreement and the solution of all humanitarian problems. They called for greater regional cooperation and the opening of all borders, including between Armenia and Turkey.

They also called for full respect of countries' sovereignty and jurisdiction, as well as the opening of regional ties based on the principles of equality and reciprocity. The European leaders called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to release all the arrested and to cooperate in resolving the fate of the missing persons and facilitating demining.