EU to cooperate with Russia in settling Caucasian problems
By Alan Badov

ITAR-TASS News Agency
September 16, 2004 Thursday

ROME, September 16 — The European Union is ready to cooperate with
Russia in settling problems of the Caucasus and Transcaucasia, said
in Brussels on Thursday head of the European Commission Romano Prodi
in an interview with Italian reporters on the eve of his tour of
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia.

The European Union recognizes the important role Russia plays in
the Caucasus, Prodi noted. “Therefore, we should and are ready to
work together with Moscow to look for a solution of problems in the
region,” he continued. According to Prodi, the dreadful events in
Beslan have clearly shown that “instability spawns terrorism”.

Prodi will come to Baku on Thursday. During his tour of the
Transcaucasian republics, he will meet leaderships of those countries,
members of the public and religious quarters. In Prodi’s words,
links with the Transcaucasian countries are very important for the
European Union, since the region is rich in energy resources and is
located in the area of important transport routes.