Karabakh: EU can use tools for supporting negotiation process

PanARMENIAN.Net - EU's Special Representative in the South Caucasus Peter Semneby confirmed his intention to visit Nagorno Karabakh in near future, but he could not say the exact date. Mr. Semneby told this after meeting with Nagorno Karabakh President Arkadi Ghukassian in NKR representation in Yerevan held March 23. He said, he visited Yerevan from Moscow only for a day and is going to depart for Brussels, and that's why he will not have time to visit the Nagorno Karabakh. Commenting on activation of his regional visits Semneby underlined that the EU is interested in the region and the problems that the countries of South Caucasus have. He also noted the new European Union member-states brought nearer the EU to the South Caucasus. "The European Union is not only an observer of events that take place in the Black Sea region but also its direct participant," Mr. Semneby said.



Answering the question about pressure on the Nagorno Karabakh authorities by European structures and OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, Peter Semneby underlined that there exist expectations from the international community, and first of all from OSCE MG that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict parties will agree with compromise offers. Alongside he said that the conflicting parties, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh must agree on it willingly. Mr. Semneby says the EU can use all tools and instruments at his disposal in the framework of European Neighborhood Policy in order to support the negotiation process and OSCE MG's efforts. "I am sure a lot can be done for encouraging contacts and strengthening confidence building measures," the EU Special Representative noticed.



Commenting on appropriateness of military statements by the Azeri side parallel to peace process, Peter Semneby stated, "I do not want to comment on any statements by this or that country. Confidence and reconciliation is necessary for settling the conflict. This is a very important aspect and just here the European Union can make an important contribution," IA Regnum reports.