Benita Ferrero-Waldner: EU believes that the region will never attain
its full potential as long as frozen conflict in Nagorny Karabakh
remains unresolved
YER EVAN, JANUARY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. "Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan are
important countries for the EU, and we want to do more to help them
advance in the reform process that will bring them greater prosperity
and stability". The Commissioner for External Relations and European
Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner said this prior to her
visit to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan on 19-22 January.
NT was informed by the Office of the EU Delegation to Armenia that
during her visit the Commissioner will discuss proposals to
substantially upgrade the level of political engagement with the EU’s
Eastern neighbours in a new Eastern Partnership (EaP). Implementation
of each country’s European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Action will also
be discussed. In Georgia the Commissioner will discuss implementation
of the up to 500 million-euro program to re-launch the economy and
resettle IDPs following last summer’s conflict. In Armenia and
Azerbaijan she will urge renewed efforts to find a settlement for
Nagorny Karabakh. In her words, " the EU believes that the region will
never attain its full potential as long the frozen conflict in Nagorny
Karabakh remains unresolved".