European Union supports work of Minsk Group: EU special representative

Azerbaijan, Baku, May 18/ Trend , V.Zhavoronkova /

European Union supports the work of the Minsk Group on the solution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the EU Special Representative for South Caucasus Peter Semneby said to press conference in Baku on May 18.

"The EU supports the work of the Minsk Group. We are ready to make a contribution to re-building trust and developing contacts," said Semneby.

Semneby said that there are many kinds of cooperation in this regard, where the contribution of the EU can be important.   

"The EU will pay great attention to this region, Azerbaijan and its neighbors, and this is a positive factor," said Semneby.

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.