“Azerbaijan sees no need for third-party mediation. The two countries, Azerbaijan and Armenia, have already proven their capacity to negotiate directly and achieve tangible results,” Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the Center for Analysis of International Relations and Multiculturalism, said in his remarks at the Azerbaijan-EU Think Tank Forum, co-organized by the AIR Center and the Egmont Royal Institute for International Relations, in Brussels.

The AIR Center chairman stressed that Azerbaijan remains among the countries most severely affected by landmines, highlighting the importance of EU support for post-conflict reconstruction. He also underscored the importance of restoration of rail links with Nakhchivan.

Shafiyev warned that forces both within Armenia and abroad were seeking to obstruct the peace process, expressing hope that they would not undermine this historic opportunity for peace.

The Center chairman urged European politicians to distinguish between those promoting peace and those obstructing it, reaffirming Azerbaijan’s commitment to peace. He stressed that economic cooperation and major infrastructure projects are essential for reconciliation and growth, highlighting the TRIPP project’s role in reconnecting mainland Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan and opening new regional transport routes.

Farid Shafiyev expressed hope for greater EU involvement in developing the Middle Corridor, stressing that enhanced connectivity promotes regional stability. He also highlighted energy as a key pillar of Azerbaijan–EU cooperation, emphasizing Azerbaijan’s role as a reliable gas supplier and the potential for future collaboration in hydrocarbons, renewable energy and green electricity corridors.