EUROPEAN UNION CALLS AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA TO SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE PROGRESS WITHOUT DELAY IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Author: A.Ismayilova

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Dec 5 2006

The European Union Calls Azerbaijan and Armenia to seize the
opportunity to make progress without delay in the resolution of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, said a statement by Erkki Tuomioja,
Minister for Foreign Affairs on behalf of the European Union, which
was read out at the OSCE Ministerial meeting in Brussels.

The EU expressed its satisfaction at the recent approval of the
European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plans with Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Georgia. We hope that their implementation will add stability
to the region and strengthen the ties between the EU and the three
states of South Caucasus, the statement read.

The European Union commends the efforts of the co-chairs of the Minsk
group to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The EU is encouraged by
the active talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan to find a settlement
to the conflict. We call on both parties to seize the opportunity to
make progress without delay. We welcome the successful implementation
of the OSCE-led environmental assessment mission in October to assess
the fire-affected areas and meet officials on both sides of the Line
of Contact.