PETER SEMNEBY: EU INTENDS TO BE INVOLVED IN RESOLUTION OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 20 2007

"European Union intends to be involved in the process of resolution of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict by helping establish mutual confidence
between the parties to the conflict," Special Representative of
European Union for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby visiting Azerbaijan
said following the meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov, APA reports.

He mentioned that peaceful solution the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is
one of the ten priorities in the action plan between the European
Union and Azerbaijan. The diplomat said that all opportunities for
establishing mutual confidence are being reviewed.

The EU Special Representative said during the meeting with Elmar
Mammadyarov in Baku, they discussed questions related to the
implementation of the action plan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict
resolution, regional issues, especially energy related issues,.

Peter Semneby regarded recent joint visits of Azeri and Armenian
intellectuals to Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan as promising
steps.

"This is a significant step. I hope that they will continue," he said.

Commenting on the EU Italian parliamentarian Julietto Kezu’s observing
yesterday’s "presidential elections" in Nagorno Karabakh, the diplomat
said that he is not responsible for the actions of EU representatives
and added this is their own initiative.

Mr. Semneby also said that European Union made a statement yesterday
condemning the "elections" in "NKR".

Asked when he will visit Nagorno Karabakh Peter Semneby said he is
planning to visit but it has not yet been scheduled.