The EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Magdalena Grono paid her first official visits to Armenia and Azerbaijan from 7 to 11 January 2025. According to the official X account of the EUSR for the South Caucasus, valued in-depth exchanges of views were held with the leaderships and officials in both capitals on how best to advance peace, normalisation efforts and regional cooperation. The EU Special Representative also referred to the need to develop bilateral relations between the EU and the two countries. The EU Special Representative also stated she had exchanges with local civic societies but did not make specific references to any organisations.
The EU Special Representative Magdalena Grono conveyed the EU's continued strong commitment to this strategic region and partnerships with both Armenia and Azerbaijan and stressed the EU's readiness to step up support to normalization in all its aspects, including supporting ongoing Armenia-Azerbaijan bilateral talks, focusing on concrete aspects of connectivity and humanitarian issues and promoting regional cooperation initiatives.
The EU Special Representative said this was crucial to advance towards lasting peace, ensure progress on outstanding issues and prepare populations for a peaceful future. EUSR Grono said this was essential to address and lower threat perceptions, including through public reconciliation efforts and positive rhetoric that commits to peace.
Magdalena Grono was appointed by the Counciul of the EU as Special Representative (EUSR) for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia in July 2024 succeeding Toivo Klaar, whose tenure of over six years came to an end on 31 August. She took up her duties on 1 September 2024 for an initial period of 12 months.
