Meeting with Azerbaijani President

On May 14, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev welcomed Ian Borg, the OSCE Chair-in-Office and the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta, and his accompanying delegation.

Recalling their previous discussions held during this year’s Munich Security Conference, OSCE Chair-in-Office Ian Borg emphasized the regional significance of his visit, expressing Malta's support for the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the ongoing negotiation process for a peace treaty.

President Aliyev reiterated Azerbaijan's initiative in initiating the peace process with Armenia and outlined the fundamental principles underlying the peace agreement, which Azerbaijan had prepared and presented for discussion. He emphasized the ongoing negotiation process aimed at advancing the peace agenda.

Addressing the long-standing issue of Armenia's military aggression and occupation of Azerbaijani lands, President Aliyev criticized the ineffectiveness of the OSCE, particularly the OSCE Minsk Group, in resolving the conflict and ensuring the return of internally displaced persons. He underscored Azerbaijan's determination and strength in ending the occupation and restoring territorial integrity and sovereignty in line with international law and the UN Charter. Proposing the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group and associated institutions, President Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan had raised this issue, suggesting there was no reason for Armenia to oppose it.

Discussions during the meeting also centered on transportation connectivity matters within the OSCE framework. Minister Borg expressed Malta's support for small island developing states and their relations with the European Union, as well as readiness to cooperate with Azerbaijan during its COP29 Presidency.

President Aliyev emphasized that addressing the concerns of small island developing states would be a priority during Azerbaijan's COP29 Presidency. He highlighted cooperation between such states within the Commonwealth framework and expressed Azerbaijan's interest in collaboration with Malta in this regard.

Meeting with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister

On May 14, Jeyhun Bayramov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, hosted a delegation led by Ian Borg.

Following one-on-one discussions between Minister Bayramov and Minister Borg, both delegations participated in a comprehensive meeting covering various key cooperation areas.

The meeting addressed the potential for enhancing cooperation between Azerbaijan and Malta across political, economic, humanitarian, and other domains, highlighting opportunities for strengthening relations in sectors such as energy and tourism.

Azerbaijan welcomed Malta's prioritization of areas like the environment and connectivity during its OSCE chairmanship, noting the potential for synergy between Azerbaijan's COP29 presidency and Malta's OSCE presidency to address global environmental challenges.

Amidst significant security challenges in Europe, emphasis was placed on the importance of the OSCE utilizing its comprehensive security concept and broad membership to address regional issues. Principles such as sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of internationally recognized borders were highlighted as crucial for ensuring security and fostering trust and cooperation within the OSCE framework.

Minister Bayramov provided detailed information to his Maltese counterpart regarding the regional situation in the post-conflict period, particularly focusing on the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Direct bilateral negotiations and signing a peace agreement were underscored as the most effective approaches to advancing relations.

Concerns were raised regarding the lack of progress by certain OSCE institutions despite their mandates in resolving the 30-year conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Referring to outdated institutions while discussing the resolution of past conflicts was deemed detrimental to the normalization process between the two countries.

In the post-conflict period, Azerbaijan emphasized the importance of support for mine clearance efforts and the accelerated return of internally displaced persons based on the demand and relevant appeals of the Azerbaijani side.

Following the meetings, the ministers held a press briefing where they summarized the outcomes and addressed questions from journalists.

Press statements

During the joint press conference, Jeyhun Bayramov expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of tangible results from the OSCE's 30-year effort to resolve the conflict. He emphasized that Azerbaijan and the OSCE could broaden cooperation post-conflict in areas like Karabakh region restoration and demining of liberated territories. Bayramov criticized the outdated operations of these institutions, suggesting redirecting funds towards more pressing projects such as mine safety and environmental restoration.

Bayramov highlighted the comprehensive discussions held with the OSCE delegation, which covered bilateral cooperation, the organization's challenges, and the region's peace process. He stressed Azerbaijan's adherence to OSCE principles, particularly regarding territorial integrity.

Regarding the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict resolution, Bayramov noted positive outcomes from direct negotiations, citing progress in border delimitation and the return of occupied villages.

Bayramov also pointed out historical injustices faced by Azerbaijan in the 1990s, holding the OSCE accountable.

Regarding the peace process with Armenia, Bayramov emphasized the need for realism, mentioning intensive negotiations and recent talks with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan as significant steps forward.

Bayramov concluded by asserting that the peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia must address all issues comprehensively without leaving room for future negotiations.

During a press conference, Ian Borg affirmed that the peace process between Baku and Yerevan remains a priority for the OSCE. He welcomed the initiation of the border delimitation process and stressed the importance of adhering to diplomatic principles and negotiation to resolve the remaining issues. "As the OSCE, we welcome all pragmatic solutions aimed at developing the peace process," Borg emphasized.

Borg reiterated the OSCE's commitment to achieving a sustainable and comprehensive peace agreement, noting that his chairmanship would consider past shortcomings in resolving the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Reflecting on diplomacy and confidence-building measures, Borg highlighted their essential role in achieving long-lasting peace and security solutions. He expressed gratitude to Foreign Minister Bayramov for hosting the OSCE delegation in Baku and engaging in insightful discussions on the organization's future role in the South Caucasus and beyond.

Borg affirmed the OSCE's support for Azerbaijan and Armenia's efforts to build a better future for the region's people.