ARMINFO News Agency
October 7, 2005

AZERBAIJAN DENIES ITS GUILT IN THE DELAY OF “NEW NEIGHBORHOOD”
PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

STRASBOURG, OCTOBER 7. ARMINFO. The head of the Azerbaijani
delegation, Samad Seyidov, denies that the EU-South Caucasus talks
about “New Neighborhood” program implementation were delayed because
of problems with Azerbaijan.

On the other hand, the EU Special Representative at South Caucasus,
Heikki Talvitie, on a joint press-conference with the Armenian
Minister for Foreign affairs, Vardan Oskanian, stated that the talks
with Armenia and Georgia on “New Neighborhood” program were delayed
because Azerbaijan had problems with one of the EU countries
(Cyprus).

According to Mr. Seyidov, the European Union works hard for
integrating Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan with the European
society. “All the problems, related with further integration, will be
easily resolved. The arguments against Azerbaijan are groundless and
I can’t see anything impeding the Caucasian-European integration,” he
said. -A-