PETER SEMNEBY: EU TRIES TO CREATE TRUST BETWEEN KARABAKH AND AZERBAIJAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.02.2007 13:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It’s time to normalize ties between Azerbaijan and
Nagorno Karabakh. Presently the European Union is trying to create
trust between the sides, EU Envoy for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby
said in Baku. In his words, the issue was discussed with the Azeri
government. When touching on the statements by the OSCE MG Co-chairs
that initiatives within other international organizations hamper the
negotiation process Mr Semneby said the EU activities are not targeted
against the OSCE Minsk Group.

He also remarked that some aspects of the last stage of negotiations
on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement were promising but
unfortunately proved fruitless. These include the latest meeting of
the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents in Minsk and the ministerial
meeting in Moscow. "These talks did not initiate any progress but
I hope that time for solution will come and the European Union will
make its contribution," said he.

Mr Semneby voiced opinion on Russia’s position on the conflict
settlement. "Russia plays a substantial role in the South Caucasus. I
am hopeful that its action will coincide with its statements and
goals," said he, report Azeri media.