COPENHAGEN, 8 December 2023 - The President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Pia Kauma (Finland), and the OSCE PA Special Representative on the South Caucasus, Kari Henriksen (Norway), warmly welcome the joint statement issued yesterday by the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan as a historic step for lasting peace in the region by demonstrating both nations’ shared commitment to normalizing relations and reaching a peace treaty grounded in principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“I commend these decisive steps taken by the leaders of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan to build confidence between the two countries. In particular, the release of military servicemen on both sides, driven by the values of humanism and goodwill, sets a positive precedent for future co-operation. I hope that it will serve as an inspiration for further initiatives,” President Kauma said.

“This joint statement and the practical steps associated with it demonstrate a shared commitment to peace. This can mark a historical shift towards sustainable peace and security for all people in the South Caucasus,” said Special Representative Henriksen.

As both governments continue discussions to identify additional confidence-building measures and called on the international community to support their efforts, President Kauma reiterated the readiness of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to facilitate diplomacy and dialogue between parliamentarians from Armenia and Azerbaijan.