BENITA FERRERO-WALDNER: "AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA CAN RESOLVE THE NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT ONLY PEACEFULLY"

Azeri Press Agency
Jan 21 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku. Lachin Sultanova-APA. Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs
Elmar Mammadyarov and EU Commissioner for External Relations and
European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero Waldner held discussions
over the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Eastern Partnership Initiative
and Nabucco project, APA reports. Elmar Mammadyarov said at the
press conference held after one-hour meeting that he informed the EU
Commissioner about the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
and they exchanged opinions about the European Commission’s actions
after the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. "We also
reviewed the priorities of the Eastern Partnership Initiative".

Ferrero-Waldner stated that Azerbaijan and Armenia could resolve
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict only peacefully. She expressed her
hopefulness for the meeting of the presidents in Davos and called on
the heads of states to find a compromise. The Commissioner said the
Eastern Partnership Program considered bilateral and multilateral
cooperation with the participant-countries. "The European Union will
sign associative agreements with six countries, which will extend the
political and economic cooperation, ease the visa procedures and make
the energy producers and consumers closer".

Ferrero-Waldner also expressed opinion about ban of foreign FM
radio broadcasting in Azerbaijan. She was informed at the meeting
with Mammadyarov that there are technical points about this issue in
the Azerbaijan’s legislation passed through the Council of Europe’s
expertise. "The Minister told me that Azerbaijan is ready for dialogue
on this issue". Ferero-Waldner said she was hopeful for positive
solution to this issue.