EU DOES NOT RECOGNIZE REFERENDUM IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Dec 17 2006

Visiting Azerbaijan European Union Special Representative for the
South Caucasus Peter Semneby held a press conference December 16 at
the ISR-Plaza hotel.

P. Semneby said he met with government officials, NGO representatives,
and human rights activists to discuss the main principles of the
action plan of the European Neighborhood Policy.

European diplomat noted that EU-Azerbaijan relationship transformed
from the stage of cooperation to the stage of integration, and said
that government of Azerbaijan’s balanced foreign policy allowed
establishing friendly relations with the countries of the region.

He said the European Union does not recognize the referendum held by
Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh, adding that it may have a
negative impact on the conflict resolution process.

According to P. Semneby, EU will open its office in Azerbaijan in 2007,
as it will help watch more closely the ongoing processes here.

The report on realization of the action plan will be prepared yearly.

Then, EU representative answered to the journalists’ questions.