Yerevan: The 8th Summit of the European Political Community (EPC) was held in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, APA reports. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the event via video link.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, President Aliyev expressed his gratitude to President Costa for inviting him to the EPC Summit. He highlighted discussions with President Costa during his visit to Azerbaijan, where they agreed on Aliyev's participation via video link. President Aliyev also mentioned his meeting with President Costa and President von der Leyen in Tirana the previous year, during which he supported the idea of holding the May 2026 Summit in Armenia, with a reciprocal agreement to host a future summit in Azerbaijan in May 2028.
President Aliyev emphasized the reality of peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, noting that the countries have lived in peace for nine months. He referenced a Joint Declaration signed in Washington last August, witnessed by President Trump, which marked the achievement of peace. Following this, Azerbaijan lifted all transit restrictions on Armenia and initiated trade relations, supplying oil products to Armenia for the first time.
President Aliyev highlighted the significance of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, which will connect Azerbaijan with its exclave Nakhchivan and serve as part of the Middle Corridor. He expressed gratitude to the European Commission for supporting the peace process and criticized the European Parliament and PACE for their lack of support, citing sanctions and resolutions against Azerbaijan as examples of double standards.
In response to these actions, the Parliament of Azerbaijan decided to suspend cooperation with the European Parliament and cease participation in the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. President Aliyev reiterated Azerbaijan's commitment to the peace agenda and congratulated Prime Minister Pashinyan on hosting the EPC Summit.
Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan acknowledged the unprecedented peace achieved between Armenia and Azerbaijan, noting no casualties for two years. He highlighted the significance of President Aliyev participating in an event held in Armenia, even via video link, and expressed hope for a visit in 2028 for the 10th EPC Summit.
President of the European Council Ant³nio Costa praised the historical nature of the meeting, attributing it to the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also extended their congratulations for the progress achieved toward peace.