PETER SEMNEBY: "EU ACTION PLANS FOR CAUCASUS FEW MONTHS AWAY"

Today, Azerbaijan
June 15 2006

The EU special representative for the South Caucasus, Peter Semneby,
told on Wednesday that European Neighborhood Policy Action Plans
with Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan will be signed "in a couple of
months’ time."

Semneby told RFE/RL that minor issues remain with Georgia, while
talks with Armenia are also "advanced." However, he indicated the
negotiations with Azerbaijan are more difficult.

The EU’s high representative for common foreign and security policy,
Javier Solana, indicated after meeting Georgian Prime Minister Zurab
Noghaideli on Wednesday for the first time that some countries could
be left behind.

"Of course we would like, as much as possible, to have the relationship
with the three countries as close as possible, as joint as possible,"
Solana said. "But as you know also very well, the Neighborhood
Policy has an element which is important in itself, which is [that it
contains] tailor-made action plans [specific] to the needs of every
country. Not every country is equal, not every country moves at the
same speed, but in general terms if we can do it together [that]
will be better. But the slowing [down] of one will not affect others."

Semneby confirmed that there are differences between the EU and
Azerbaijan on how to address the Nagorno Karabakh issue. However,
he said he is "quite confident" the differences can be overcome soon.

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress