OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, Elina Valtonen told the press that "the end of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia is a highly successful example that fosters optimism throughout the entire OSCE region," on Thursday (4 December).
Elina Valtonen reminded that she’s had the opportunity to visit both countries and familiarize myself with the peace process. "We always maintain productive relations with both countries," she stated.
Chairperson-in-Office Valtonen reiterated OSCE’s readiness to provide any support regarding the issues currently being discussed between the parties.
Closure of OSCE Minsk Group
Valtonen also noted that the decision to close the OSCE Minsk Group and its associated structures on 1 September, 2025 was a vital step supporting the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Moreover, she noted that it removed a major obstacle in approving the OSCE budget.
The statement was made at the 32nd Meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council on Thursday (4 December) in Vienna, Austria.
The Minsk Group was created in 1992 to mediate the Karabakh conflict, and from 1994 operated under a co-chairmanship of Russia, the United States and France.
It served for decades as the main platform for Armenia–Azerbaijan negotiations but lost relevance after Azerbaijan’s 2020 victory and the restoration of its territorial integrity in September 2023, according to Azerbaijani media.
Baku repeatedly called for its formal closure, and on 8 August, 2025, the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a joint appeal in Washington calling for the termination of the Minsk Group.
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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by Elina Valtonen, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finland.
The Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen is continuing a three-nation tour of the South Caucasus, visiting Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia between 13 and 15 October.
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