NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT CAN NOT GO UNRESOLVED FOREVER: EU SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE

Trend
April 6 2009
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Baku, April 6 /Trend News, V. Zhavoronkova/ The
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can not go unresolved as it can pose a threat
for the region and the European Union, the EU special representative
on the South Caucasus Peter Semneby said.

The EU does not participate in the conflict’s resolution, but it
supports the OSCE Minsk Group as the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a
priority for us, Semneby said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed
forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including
the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan
and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of
the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. – are currently
holding the peace negotiations.

The EU can contribute to the security of its neighbors and partners,
he said. EU’s vision for the South Caucasus is to open borders which
are precondition for security in the region and development of economic
potential, he said.