ENVOY SAYS CONFLICTS AFFECT EU ENLARGEMENT
AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
May 18 2006
The European Union “big three” (Germany, Britain and France) has
analyzed the results of its representatives’ recent visit to the South
Caucasus and issued specific recommendations to all regional states,
the EU special envoy in Azerbaijan, Alan Adams, said.
Adams called on both Azerbaijan and Armenia to step up efforts to
resolve the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict. He added that the EU
was in favor of concessions in line with the Geneva Convention on
territorial integrity. With regard to the impact of the long-standing
dispute, the ambassador said its unresolved status was affecting the
process of the EU enlargement.
He said only after the existing conflicts have been resolved will
it be possible to speak of effective regional cooperation. “From
this standpoint, solution to the Garabagh conflict represents special
importance to the EU,” Adams told journalists. Adams said the National
Action Plan being prepared by Azerbaijan and the European Union as
part of the European New Neighborhood Policy will be approved in the
coming two months. The diplomat said the plan would identify specific
areas of cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan.
“This will open up a new area of political and economic cooperation.”
Adams said the 25-member union intends to implement a number of
projects in the S. Caucasus. The projects will serve the enforcement
of assumed commitments, while those scheduled for 2006 mainly cover
regional development, social and economic reforms, he added.