PETER SEMNEBY: "NOBODY DOUBTS THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES BELONG TO AZERBAIJAN"
APA
April 6 2009
Azerbaijan
Baku. Lachin Sultanova – APA. Within the framework of his visit to
Baku, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby
held a press conference on the outcomes of his visit. The diplomat
noted his visit was realized on the eve of the adoption of Eastern
Partnership program, APA reports. According to him, regional issues,
relations with Russia, regulation of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, rule
of law, development of democracy, freedom of media and other issues
of primary importance were in the focus of attention at the meetings
he held in Azerbaijan.
Semneby noted that Azerbaijan-Georgia relations had also been
discussed at the meetings. He said Azerbaijan played great role in
the restoration of stability in Georgia.
The diplomat stated that they had discussed various aspects of the
EU-Azerbaijan relations and added that President Ilham Aliyev was
expected to pay a visit to Brussels in late of April.
Further, Semneby answered the questions of press representatives
and expressed his concern over the arrest of several journalists
in Azerbaijan. Answering the question about the broadcast of foreign
radio stations in Azerbaijan, the diplomat said: "Pluralism is a value,
imposing restriction on pluralism decreases it".
Taking a stance on the opening of Turkey-Armenia borders, the special
representative said EU was aware of the negotiations between the two
countries and the possibility of the opening of borders.
"It is difficult for me to say how it will influence Nagorno Karabakh
conflict. But the European Union wants the borders to be opened in
the South Caucasus," he said.
To the question "Why don’t you exert pressure on Armenia for releasing
the occupied Azerbaijani territories, at least for the initial
stage, the regions around Nagorno Karabakh?" the diplomat said:
"Nobody doubts that these lands belong to Azerbaijan. The European
Union does not deal with the solution to this conflict directly, but
supports the efforts of OSCE Minsk Group. The settlement of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict is a priority, way of solution should be found,
the conflict can not remain in the current state, it poses threat
to the security of the region and the European Union. The results of
the war in Georgia had influence on the European Union," he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
