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Thank you, your Excellency, 

Dear Foreign Minister Bayramov,  

Thank you very much for hosting me here in Baku, today. It is good to be here.

Azerbaijan is an important partner in the region, it is an appreciated energy partner for the European Union, and together we have made significant progress in strengthening our ties.

You have helped the European Union diversify its energy supplies and strengthen our own energy security at a time when the world is facing unprecedented challenges.

We are also grateful for Azerbaijan’s humanitarian support for Ukraine, and for your leadership in hosting the COP29 climate Summit last year.

Multilateral efforts like these show that when countries work together, we can make a real impact on global stages.

At the same time, our relationship is a two-way street. We have a long tradition of partnership.

The EU is Azerbaijan’s largest trading partner and also its biggest investor.  

The EU has also been a major supporter of demining efforts in Azerbaijan, helping to clear the legacy of conflict and also helped to save lives.

Our cooperation holds great potential for further growth.

As we discussed earlier today, and as I also discussed earlier with President Aliyev. We discussed the ways to further increase trade and improve connectivity in the region, connecting the EU, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.  

I am also happy to say that we agreed to resume our negotiations on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Azerbaijan.

This is a relationship to grow based on mutual respect – including respect for our Member States, and our fundamental principles, including the respect for the rule of law and human rights.

Dear Jeyhun, 

We also had a good exchange about the normalisation of Azerbaijan’s relations with Armenia.  

The European Union supports the efforts of both sides to reach a sustainable and lasting peace.

Armenia and Azerbaijan now have an opportunity to achieve this.

I want to welcome the agreement reached on the text of the peace treaty. We are looking forward to the next steps.

Thank you again for hosting me in Baku today.

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