Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 24 / Trend , K.Zarbaliyeva/
The European Commission is ready to contribute to a rapid settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
"It is necessary to quickly resolve the conflict and the European Commission is ready to contribute to it," the EU External Relations Commissioner, Benito Ferroro-Waldner said at the meeting with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, Elmar Mammadyarov in New York on Sept. 23, the Foreign Ministry told Trend on Sept. 24.
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.
Mammadyarov said that the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be resolved under Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. Further, the minister informed the commissioner about the current situation with the settlement process and the country's relevant position on this issue.
The meeting also focused on the current state and perspectives of the Azerbaijani-EU cooperation.
Waldner said that the EU attaches great importance to the relations with Azerbaijan, and noted that the existing cooperation programs with Azerbaijan, especially under the Eastern Cooperation Initiative, greatly contributed to the relations for both sides.
The EU External Commissioner stressed Azerbaijan is an important country for Europe's energy supply. Noting importance of energy sector of the EU-Azerbaijan cooperation, Waldner said the European Commission decided to sign an association agreement and the relevant mandate would be soon developed.
Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at [email protected]