PanARMENIAN.Net
Karabakh: EU can use tools for supporting negotiation process
24.03.2007 15:01 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ EU’s Special Representative in the South Caucasus
Peter Semneby confirmed his intention to visit Nagorno Karabakh in
near future, but he could not say the exact date. Mr. Semneby told
this after meeting with Nagorno Karabakh President Arkadi Ghukassian
in NKR representation in Yerevan held March 23. He said, he visited
Yerevan from Moscow only for a day and is going to depart for
Brussels, and that’s why he will not have time to visit the Nagorno
Karabakh. Commenting on activation of his regional visits Semneby
underlined that the EU is interested in the region and the problems
that the countries of South Caucasus have. He also noted the new
European Union member-states brought nearer the EU to the South
Caucasus. `The European Union is not only an observer of events that
take place in the Black Sea region but also its direct participant,’
Mr. Semneby said.
Answering the question about pressure on the Nagorno Karabakh
authorities by European structures and OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs,
Peter Semneby underlined that there exist expectations from the
international community, and first of all from OSCE MG that the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict parties will agree with compromise
offers. Alongside he said that the conflicting parties, Azerbaijan,
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh must agree on it willingly. Mr. Semneby
says the EU can use all tools and instruments at his disposal in the
framework of European Neighborhood Policy in order to support the
negotiation process and OSCE MG’s efforts. `I am sure a lot can be
done for encouraging contacts and strengthening confidence building
measures,’ the EU Special Representative noticed.
Commenting on appropriateness of military statements by the Azeri side
parallel to peace process, Peter Semneby stated, `I do not want to
comment on any statements by this or that country. Confidence and
reconciliation is necessary for settling the conflict. This is a very
important aspect and just here the European Union can make an
important contribution,’ IA Regnum reports.