On August 28, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Magdalena Grono, the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus. Grono conveyed the greetings of the EU leadership to President Aliyev and congratulated him on the significant results achieved in Washington regarding the normalization of relations with Armenia and the peace agenda. She emphasized that the process had contributed to lasting peace in the region and stressed that EU member states also supported the peace achieved between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Grono stated that the EU was ready to assist in the implementation of the agreed-upon issues, including the transport corridor.

President Aliyev expressed gratitude for the greetings and congratulations and asked Grono to convey his regards to the EU leadership. He highlighted the importance of the outcomes reached in Washington, particularly noting the role of the United States in the process. The Azerbaijani President described the Washington Declaration, the initialing of the peace agreement, and the joint appeal of Azerbaijan and Armenia on the dissolution of the Minsk Group as key steps in advancing the peace process. During the meeting, both sides underscored Azerbaijan’s support for confidence-building measures with Armenia and emphasized the importance of establishing unimpeded transport and transit connectivity between Azerbaijan’s mainland and the Nakhchivan region. They also discussed cooperation opportunities with the EU, especially regarding the upgrading of transport infrastructure in Nakhchivan.

On the same day, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received Magdalena Grono. During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state and prospects of Azerbaijan-EU cooperation, the Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization process, as well as regional and international issues. They also reviewed cooperation in the economy, trade, transport, energy security, green energy, humanitarian matters, and other fields. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the high-level contacts between Azerbaijan and the EU and highlighted the importance of continuing dialogue. Grono once again congratulated Azerbaijan on the achievements in the peace process, while Minister Bayramov briefed her on the historic agreements reached in Washington and the prospects of normalization with Armenia. The discussions also covered other bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.