ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
January 25, 2005 Tuesday 1:59 PM Eastern Time
Conflicts in South Caucasus affect regional cooperation – EU
By Tigran Liloyan
YEREVAN
Conflicts in the South Caucasus prevent the European Union from using
its potential in that region, EU Special Representative for the South
Caucasus Heikki Talvitie said on Tuesday when summing up results of
his visit to Armenia.
Regional cooperation is a EU priority in the South Caucasus, but it
cannot be developed because of conflicts, he said.
The European Commission report on Armenia will be ready in March, and
a program based on the European Neighborhood Policy will be developed
before the yearend, he said. The program will regulate relations with
Armenia, whereas the EU-Armenia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement
of 1999 is in effect now, the diplomat said.
Progress in the settlement of conflicts will have good effect on the
program, he said. The mandate of the EU special representative for
the South Caucasus includes support to efforts of the OSCE Minsk
Group for Nagorno-Karabakh. Talvitie welcomed Prague consultations
between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers.
