BAKU: Dimitrij Rupel: We Hope Presidential Elections Will Not Have N

DIMITRIJ RUPEL: WE HOPE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS WILL NOT HAVE NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE SETTLEMENT OF THE NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT

Azeri Press Agency
Feb 4 2008
Azerbaijan

"We hope presidential elections will not have negative impact on
the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the process of
negotiations will continue," President of the EU General Affairs and
External Relations Council, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel
told journalists in Azerbaijan, APA reports.

Dimitrij Rupel said that European Union is ready to assist in the
settlement of the conflict.

"We are pleased with any agreements reached by the parties. European
Union wants the conflict to be solved peacefully and is ready to
render any assistance," he said.

European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood
Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner also said the organization supports
the process of negotiations.

"Both Azerbaijan and Armenia understand that the settlement of the
conflict will have positive influence on the development of the
region. We do not want negative rhetorics to be spouted during the
election campaign," she said.