Armenia and Azerbaijan are today embarking on a new chapter in their history. The fact that the two states, following an initiative by US President Trump, have initialled a peace agreement in Washington, DC gives hope to many people in Armenia and Azerbaijan, who look back on a long past marked by conflict, displacement and suffering. I congratulate them on the path towards peaceful coexistence and a peaceful future that Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Aliyev have chosen instead.

Today shows that both governments are willing to resolve difficult issues through negotiations and, in doing so, to make difficult compromises. This is also shown by the progress made on the question of transit between Azerbaijan and its enclave through Armenian territory, including the assumption of responsibility by the United States. A further significant step is the readiness of both sides to agree to the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, which was established in the 1990s to resolve the conflict.

After decades of conflict, the people in Armenia and Azerbaijan are longing for lasting peace. Germany has followed this process intensively with our partners for some considerable time, with regular dialogue at the highest level and peace negotiations in Berlin last year.

For several years now, we have supported confidence-building measures between the two countries; we have made available 27.5 million euro of humanitarian assistance; and we have seconded civilian personnel to the southern Caucasus, in particular to the EU Mission in Armenia.

It is now vital that the two governments sign and ratify the peace agreement as soon as possible. Germany remains ready to support Armenia and Azerbaijan on the road to lasting peace.