EU ENVOY, AZERBAIJANI MINISTER DISCUSS IRAN, KARABAKH
APA
Feb 25 2010
Azerbaijan
Peter Semneby "There is some chance for the solution to the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict.
"There is now a chance to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It
is very important not to lose this chance," the European Union’s
special representative for the South Caucasus, Peter Semneby, told
journalists in Baku yesterday.
He said the talks process had been moving forward steadily last year.
"The co-chairs are being replaced now," Semneby said, referring to
the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, mediating a settlement to the
conflict. "If the chance is lost, the process will be prolonged."
Earlier in the day, Peter Semneby had been received by Azerbaijani
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.
They discussed Azerbaijan-EU relations, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,
energy and Iran, Semneby said.
The EU is aware that developments in Iran have a major effect on
Azerbaijan, the envoy commented. "Besides, Azerbaijan has knowledge
and information about Iran that the EU doesn’t have, so it is important
for us to discuss Iran with Azerbaijan."
Touching upon Azerbaijan-EU relations, Peter Semneby said the Lisbon
treaty had created an opportunity for both the EU and Azerbaijan to
establish a new relationship. "The Eastern Partnership Program was
launched to set the framework for our relationship with Azerbaijan
and other South Caucasian countries, as well as Ukraine, Moldova and
Belarus. In the next phase, we will establish associative relations.
This is a long and very important process covering all spheres of
our relations."
Asked about the schedule for the association talks, Semneby said
he could not give an exact date, but the mandate for negotiations
was ready.
Semneby will meet representatives of the political parties on 25
February.