15 October 2025 15:05

On 15 October 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Elina Valtonen.

During the meeting, Azerbaijan-Finland bilateral relations, priority areas during Finland’s OSCE Chairmanship, challenges facing the OSCE, the current state and future prospects of Azerbaijan-OSCE cooperation, as well as the situation in the region in the post-conflict period and the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process were discussed.

The sides expressed satisfaction with the contribution of the meetings held between the leaders in Baku last year within the framework of COP29, as well as in New York during the high-level week of the UN General Assembly in September this year, to the development of bilateral relations. The ministers emphasized the importance of intensifying mutual visits and dialogue in order to expand relations.

During the meeting, priorities within the framework of Finland’s OSCE Chairmanship were addressed. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that Finland’s Chairmanship coincides with a period when security in Europe faces serious challenges. In this context, the importance of the OSCE’s flexible adaptation to new realities as a multilateral platform and maintaining its relevance and functionality was emphasized.

The Minister also informed his Finnish counterpart about the latest situation in the region, reconstruction and building works in the liberated territories, measures taken for the return of internally displaced persons, and the mine threat.

The Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process was also discussed during the meeting. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted the importance of the historic meeting of the leaders of Azerbaijan, the United States and Armenia held in Washington on 8 August 2025 and the Joint Statement signed. The next steps to be taken towards signing the peace agreement and the necessity of eliminating territorial claims against Azerbaijan reflected in the Constitution of Armenia were once again brought to attention.

The importance of the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) project in terms of restoring transport and economic connections in the region was emphasized.

The sides positively assessed the decision to terminate, from 1 September, the activities of OSCE institutions such as the Minsk Process, the Personal Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office, and the High-Level Planning Group, which have lost their functional significance taking into account post-conflict realities.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, referring to the existing obstacles to the implementation of cooperation projects within the OSCE, noted the importance of launching the Azerbaijan Cooperation Programme. He emphasized that the development of practical cooperation in areas such as demining, environmental assessment, and cybersecurity would be beneficial.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of initiatives within the OSCE economic and environmental dimension, stating that the project “Promotion of green ports and connectivity in the Caspian Sea region,” initiated by Azerbaijan, has been successfully implemented and has already moved to its third phase.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov wished success to Finland in its OSCE Chairmanship and expressed hope that this Chairmanship will make a significant contribution to strengthening the environment of multilateral dialogue and cooperation and revitalizing the OSCE’s activities.

The sides also exchanged views on other bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest.