EU SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE HOPES FOR MAINTAINING POSITIVE TENDENCY IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH PROCESS (INTERVIEW)

Trend
Nov 16 2009
Azerbaijan

Trend News European desk’s exclusive interview with EU Special
Representative for South Caucasus Peter Semneby as a result of his
regional visit.

Q: How was your visit today? With whom were meetings held and what
issues were discussed?

A: Very significant and well-grounded talks were held with the
President and Foreign Minister. In addition, I met with some political
figures with whom we discussed the vital issues of Azerbaijan’s foreign
policy, relations with the European Union, the Eastern Partnership
program, relations with neighbors, including the process of Karabakh
and the Armenian-Turkish relations.

Also we touched upon energy, primarily the question of the Southern
Corridor project. After the summit in Prague in May, was signed an
inter-governmental agreement with Turkey in June.

Q: Are there real progress in the negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict?

A: We hope to continue the positive tendency that we saw over
the last year. Our position is that Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and
Armenian-Turkish rapprochement are two different processes that should
not be connected with each other. Both processes have the promotion.

Armenian-Turkish settlement should take place without preconditions,
because it is a process that has a positive impact on the situation
in the region, including for Azerbaijan in the future.

Q: How do you see the role of European institutions in the political
processes in South Caucasus?

A: We are currently implementing a new program with our neighbors –
"Eastern Partnership" which will give greater opportunities to build
close and deep bilateral relations to discuss issues in a regional
context. The next step probably will be the adoption of the mandate
on the association agreement with the countries of the South Caucasus.

The mandate of these negotiations will be discussed by EU foreign
ministers early next year, after which long process of negotiations
will begin. Progress in these negotiations depends on the will and
capabilities of each state.

Q: Will the absence of a transit agreement with Turkey affect the
projects on transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe?

A: Absence of a transit agreement with Turkey is the most important
question on the agenda. Resolving this issue is a joint priority for
Azerbaijan and the EU. We must create conditions for the supply of
gas from the Caspian region to European consumers. The most suitable
route for this is a transit agreement with Turkey.

Q: Is there any progress in the dialogue of the president and
opposition in Georgia? Does the opposition suggest constructive
solutions or all are limited with criticism against the authorities?

A: After a visit to Georgia, I can say that the current situation
is much better than the previous. Tbilisi looks much calmer than a
few months ago, and this gives a reason for hope that the political
situation is completely normal and a political dialogue will be held
on vital issues for the country between the president and opposition.

Over the past few months, the president and the opposition had
enough to learn the more concrete and substantial issues instead of
confrontation on the streets, and this is encouraging.