Charles Michel turned to Baku and Yerevan in an attempt to bring peace closer

European Council President Charles Michel is stepping up efforts to establish peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan amid rising tensions in the region. According to the American edition of “Politico”, Charles Michel held bilateral meetings with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan during the European Political Community in London on July 18.

Michel also sent messages to both sides, urging them to return to the negotiating table and “finalize the peace agreement” by making progress on unresolved issues such as border delimitation.

Frustration is growing in Brussels over the months-long delay in negotiations and the diplomatic impasse, due to which the long-awaited peace has not been concluded, the author of the article notes.

Despite the meetings with Michel, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev could not find an opportunity to sit down at the negotiating table, while both sides accuse each other of refusing to meet.

“Ultimately, both sides should stop playing games and make a deal, as EU President Michel has done everything possible to reach a peace agreement,” said a senior diplomat close to Michel.

“Politico” notes that last week the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry accused Armenia of “committing provocations” along the common border of the two countries and threatened to “take the necessary retaliatory measures using all means at their disposal for self-defense.” Azerbaijan also criticized the military support provided to Yerevan by EU countries such as France in an attempt to create a balance of power between the two historical rivals, the author concludes.