The European Union’s Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, Magdalena Grono, has given an interview to APA. She spoke about the outcomes of her visits last month to Azerbaijan and Armenia, Azerbaijan–EU relations, prospects for future cooperation, and other issues.
The EU remains committed to supporting historic progress toward peace in the region and to further strengthening its cooperation with the South Caucasus
– Ms. Grono, you visited Azerbaijan last month and held a number of meetings. How do you assess the results of your visit?
- Indeed, I visited Azerbaijan for regular high-level consultations with Azerbaijani counterparts on 15-16 January 2026. I had meetings with Foreign Minister Bayramov, Presidential Advisers Hajiyev and Amirbayov, as well as other interlocutors, including civil society representatives and international partners. We had an important exchange of views on several aspects of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, issues on the agenda of EU-Azerbaijan relations, regional cooperation, connectivity initiatives as well as humanitarian issues such as demining efforts and missing persons.
This visit was part of our regular consultations with Azerbaijani high-level interlocutors and focused on EU’s support to Armenia and Azerbaijan in their ongoing bilateral dialogue, and the potential for supporting additional concrete measures highlighting the benefits of peace to their respective societies.
In this context, these meetings in Baku allowed us to get important updates from key interlocutors and to identify the way forward in all areas of our cooperation at this strategically important moment in time. The EU is as committed as ever to stepping up its cooperation with the South Caucasus and supporting the historic drive towards peace in the region. Since then, I also visited Armenia on 5-6 February 2026, for similar high-level conversations with a series of key Armenian interlocutors.
As a strategic actor, the EU has broader interests in the region
– Does the EU see its role in the Azerbaijan–Armenia peace process as that of a mediator, or as a strategic actor?
- The EU certainly used to play the role of a facilitator during the earlier phase of the Azerbaijan-Armenia “normalisation process”, in particular during the period referred to as the “Brussels Process” under the auspices of then President of the European Council, Charles Michel – in which I also had the privilege to take part – between 2021-2023.
As acknowledged openly by the sides, their ongoing successful bilateral format draws on past substance, formulas and contacts developed also in other formats. Past processes, including the series of meetings held in the framework of the “Brussels Process” contributed to the readiness and capacity of the sides to handle their talks bilaterally.
It is this bilateral nature of the discussions that has dominated the process since the last year or two and we fully respect the parties’ choices and format. We have offered support – from political to technical and expertise-based – with any aspect of the negotiations’ agenda, in full respect of the bilateral format.
As a strategic player, the EU has interests in the region that are far broader – and not limited to the negotiations table only. The EU wants to support the ongoing bilateral process and the sides in their efforts to advance peace, stability and prosperity in the region, a core strategic interest for the EU, and is also supportive of the broader linkages between the EU, the South Caucasus, Central Asia and beyond, hence our focus on the connectivity agenda.
My exchanges with high-level interlocutors in Azerbaijan and Armenia now focus on the EU’s role in support of the peace process and measures aimed at ensuring that people see and feel tangible benefits of peace. In addition to the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, this also includes regional cooperation, the Armenia-Türkiye normalisation, connectivity opportunities and confidence-building measures. We will continue to be strongly engaged and explore new opportunities, where the EU can be helpful to our Armenian and Azerbaijani partners on their way towards full-fledged peace.
The EU considers the current situation a new historic opportunity for the South Caucasus
– In your opinion, how will the security balance in the region be maintained after the signing of a peace agreement? Does the EU envisage any specific mechanisms for this purpose?
- The EU hopes for a full normalisation and opening of the region and sees the current environment as a new historic opportunity for the South Caucasus to develop with much fewer strategic hinderances and several structural inter-dependencies, to which increased bilateral and regional trade as well as energy cooperation could contribute.
In this context, we warmly welcome all the positive and promising developments seen recently, in particular since the historic initialling of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty in Washington, DC in August 2025. The more the peace process brings concrete deliverables and improves the daily lives of people on the ground, the better. As the two leaders have said themselves, both sides are now working on making sure peace is irreversible, and this needs to be sustained by clear and concrete benefits for all.
The EU is ready to further develop cooperation with Azerbaijan
– Azerbaijan is seeking to build a model of regional cooperation based on the principles of sovereignty and mutual respect. Does this model align with the EU’s strategic vision?
- The EU has always respected the sovereign choices of all countries and we are ready to further cooperate with Azerbaijan on the basis of mutual understandings we reach. The level of ambition for cooperation depends on each partner – and we tailor the relationship accordingly. We know that Azerbaijan has a complex neighbourhood to navigate, so we of course also understand that its choices are affected by this. Obviously, the same goes also for our relations with Armenia.
I would like to seize this opportunity to also reiterate Brussels’ readiness and willingness to move further on the EU-Azerbaijan updated cooperation agreement that has been under consideration for the past few years. The time has come to finalize our joint work on the matter and we hope that we will be able to resume negotiations soon.
– The restoration of the Nakhchivan railway line is considered an important project in terms of regional connectivity, economic integration, and sustainable peace. At what stage is the implementation plan for this project?
- Indeed, EU’s support to the reconstruction of the Nakhchivan railway line has been identified as a key element of our support to regional connectivity. Following my visit to Nakhchivan in August 2025, we have been working as a matter of priority on the launch of a feasibility study and identified parameters for joint action in this area. The issue was also discussed in detail during the recent meeting held between President Aliyev and Commissioner Kos in Davos on 20 January 2026.
And as you know, ENEST Director General Gert Jan Koopman, who leads the EU Commission’s engagement on connectivity with Azerbaijan, just paid a visit to Azerbaijan during which the European Union and Azerbaijan announced that, together with the EBRD, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, they have agreed to launch a feasibility study for the development of the Nakhchivan railway project.
This is taking place in the framework of the strengthening of our partnership under the EU’s Global Gateway initiative and the recently launched Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda aimed at unlocking new economic opportunities and fostering long-term shared prosperity, cooperation, and peace through sustainable and resilient links in transport, digital, energy, and trade.
Through innovative financial instruments, alongside bilateral and regional support programmes, further priority projects will strengthen economic ties between the EU and Azerbaijan. They will also support Azerbaijan’s efforts to diversify its economy, strengthen regional connectivity, create skills and job opportunities across the country, and promote inclusive and sustainable rural development.
“Personally, in all my discussions in Yerevan and Baku, I have felt a sincere commitment to peace.”
– In Azerbaijani society, there is sometimes a perception that the peace process is turning into symbolic diplomacy, while real security guarantees remain in the background. What is your view on this approach?
- I would disagree. The security situation on the ground has improved to a degree that has been unthinkable a year or two ago. This is a key element. We used to deal with a situation where populations were constantly living with the fear of renewed hostilities, with almost daily shooting incidents along the bilateral border, not so long ago. Looking at the situation today, the EU is strongly supportive of this current historic environment. The fact that the sides agreed to confidence-building measures such as having border guards serving without bulletproof vests, helmets, or magazines in their rifles on the first ever demarcated section of their bilateral border is concrete proof of that positive and stable environment.
As I said before, we have seen many unprecedented concrete steps between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the past few months, with several concrete deliverables. But I would agree that the outcomes of the peace process would need to be still more concretely felt by the societies, with even more tangible deliverables showing the clear benefits of peace.
On my side, I have felt a genuine commitment to peace in all my discussions in Yerevan and Baku and we are there to fully support their bilateral efforts. I really think that both leaderships are willing to move even further, leaving the phase of confrontation in the past. Large-scale projects like those ongoing around regional connectivity will bring in international actors and their investments are also in a way making peace irreversible.
I hope that new agreements will be reached to support Azerbaijan in clearing its territories of mines
– In the post-conflict period, Azerbaijan continues to face serious humanitarian challenges due to landmines, and civilians are still losing their lives. Will the European Union continue its support for humanitarian demining activities in Azerbaijan?
- If I am not mistaken, the EU is the largest international donor for humanitarian demining in Azerbaijan, with total support reaching close to €23 million last year. Through the "Team Europe Initiative" launched in May 2024, the EU has been providing funding for capacity building, equipment, mine risk awareness, and victim assistance. The EU will help establish and operate the International Centre of Excellence and Training for Mine Action. This assistance will aim at ensuring safe access to natural resources, facilitating the return of displaced populations, and enhancing the capacity of local institutions like ANAMA.
The mine threat and the landmine contamination are among the biggest challenges facing Azerbaijan in the post-conflict period. Every new victim affected by it shows the urgency of the challenge and the need to address it as comprehensively as possible. In my meetings with ANAMA representatives, I always discuss ways to ensure better and wider EU support to their crucial life-saving activities. I personally have a lot of admiration for the courage shown by deminers and other experts working in this field. We certainly aim to continue this support. It represents a crucial element of the EU's engagement in the region, focusing on post-conflict recovery and restoring safety for civilians. I hope that new agreements will be reached in the course of 2026 to help Azerbaijan in its fight against the terrible landmine contamination.
No expression or term used in the relevant bilateral documents should be interpreted as contradicting the peace process and its core principles
– On December 2, 2025, following the 6th meeting of the EU–Armenia Partnership Council held in Brussels, a document titled the EU–Armenia Strategic Agenda for Partnership was signed. This document contains a number of provisions that have caused concern and dissatisfaction in official Baku. For example, in the EU–Armenia “Strategic Partnership Agreement,” individuals who voluntarily refused reintegration opportunities are described as “Karabakh Armenians displaced after Azerbaijan’s military operations” and are granted refugee status. At the same time, ethnic Armenian individuals accused and convicted of crimes against humanity and war crimes are referred to as “prisoners,” and their release is presented as a separate priority.
Do you not consider this to be a clear distortion of post-conflict realities? Do you not think that the use of such terminology harms the peace process?
- The EU has been engaged over the past years in intense negotiations to update and upgrade its respective partnership agendas with both Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Yes, the EU and Armenia adopted on 2 December 2025 a new Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership, marking a significant step forward in the deepening of political, economic and sectoral cooperation between us. The document – which built on the foundations of the 2021 EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) – replaced the 2017 Partnership Priorities, setting out a more ambitious and comprehensive framework for joint action. It also responded to Armenia’s expressed ambition to strengthen ties with the European Union and reflected the enhanced momentum in bilateral relations. It covers a wide range of areas, including democracy and rule of law, justice reform, human rights, socio-economic development, connectivity, energy security, digital transformation, trade diversification, and new cooperation on security and defence. The Strategic Agenda also underscored the importance of support for the social and economic inclusion of Karabakh Armenians into Armenia’s society.
We are aware of Azerbaijan’s concerns regarding the terminology as per the comments published by Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry on 9 December 2025. During my recent visit to Baku, I reiterated the EU’s position of strong and clear support to the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process following the historic meeting of leaders in Washington last August and the understandings reached there. I reaffirmed that this strong support to the peace process and its framework, including in the post Washington DC Peace Summit environment, is the unequivocal strong position of the 27 EU Member States as well as the institutions. No elements of language in respective bilateral documents should be perceived as contravening the peace process and its key aspects.
Since August 2025, a lot of positive developments have taken place, which are in focus of all our collective efforts today, including the historic initialling of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement which opened a new era in the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process and the region. We have seen unprecedented positive developments in the bilateral contacts between the two countries – including visits of Armenian officials to Baku and Qabala, lifting of restrictions on transit of goods to Armenia via Azerbaijan’s territory, launch of some bilateral trade, the recent release of some Armenian detainees, but also ongoing expert-level contacts and joint visits, etc.
The EU has welcomed all of these steps, expressing at the same time our clear commitment to continue our support to further positive steps especially of humanitarian character between the two countries. It is our hope that all remaining contentious issues, including humanitarian ones, will be addressed by the sides in the framework on their ongoing comprehensive bilateral negotiations.
– What is your response to the view that, while the EU document gives extensive coverage to Armenia’s “Crossroads of Peace” initiative—which has not been agreed upon with regional countries—it completely overlooks the TRIPP project agreed upon at the Washington summit?
- Connectivity is a central pillar of the EU’s policy towards the broader region – and certainly a core discussion with both Azerbaijan, where we are engaging with authorities especially as regards the Nakhchivan rail segment, and with Armenia. We will be fully ready to reflect this shared commitment to connectivity also in our future outcome documents with Azerbaijan. As I said, EU colleagues in charge of the connectivity agenda also visited Baku recently and agreed on launching a feasibility study for rehabilitation of the rail in Nakhchivan, an essential component that links up directly with the TRIPP. As for the “EU-Armenia Partnership Strategic Agenda” document, it highlights joint efforts to enhance transport, digital and energy links between Armenia, the region and the EU. It emphasises strategic investments under the EU’s “Global Gateway” and support for initiatives such as the “Crossroads of Peace” to improve regional interconnections, boost economic resilience and open new opportunities for trade and mobility.
As part of our strong support to regional connectivity initiatives, we have been in close contact with our US, Armenian and Azerbaijani interlocutors to exchange views on the TRIPP project, as well as ways of coordinating approaches to different connectivity segments.
When the time comes, the future activities of the Monitoring Mission will be discussed between Yerevan and Brussels
– Article 7 of the peace agreement initialed between Azerbaijan and Armenia clearly reflects the parties’ obligation not to deploy any third-party forces along the mutual border. On the other hand, the Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia (EUMA), Markus Ritter, recently stated that there would no longer be a need for the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia once the peace agreement enters into force. In this case, does the European Union plan to continue the activities of the EUMA mission?
- The EU Mission is deployed in Armenia on the basis of a corresponding official request made by Armenia’s authorities. The current mandate of the Mission was extended in January 2025 for a further two years, until 19 February 2027.
Discussions regarding the future mandate of the Mission and its activities will take place in due time between Yerevan and Brussels, bearing in mind the developments in the peace process.
– EU Member States have recently approved a €20 million support package for Armenia under the European Peace Facility, which represents a significant increase compared to previous assistance. Is the EU considering similar support mechanisms for Azerbaijan as well? How does the Union assess balance and fairness in the distribution of peace and security assistance in the South Caucasus?
- Indeed, following Armenia’s request, the EU on 29 January 2026 adopted a second bilateral Assistance Measure under the European Peace Facility of €20 million, bringing the total amount of support to Armenia under this framework to €30 million to date.
As has been indicated, the aim of this non-lethal assistance is to enhance the logistical capacities of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, with clear focus on the protection of civilians in crises and emergency situations. It will also enhance the resilience of Armenia and accelerate interoperability of its Armed Forces in international military missions and operations, including possibly in those deployed by the EU in line with the EU-Armenia CSDP framework participation agreement, which opened new opportunities for deeper and more active cooperation in the field of international crisis management missions.
The adopted assistance measure will scale-up the deployable tent camp that was provided through the first EPF Assistance Measure in 2024.
As you know, Azerbaijan has also expressed interest in receiving assistance through the EPF. We are in contact with the Azerbaijani authorities to discuss their needs.
