Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 15 /Trend, E.Mehdiyev/
"In 2012, we will see a strong EU engagement in supporting the process of peaceful resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," the Head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, Ambassador Roland Kobia told reporters on Dec. 15.
Kobia said 2011 was really an important year in terms of EU engagement in the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict solution process.
" Also there was a lot of direct and indirect calls for a greater EU involvement in the solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh. This has been materialized by appointment of EU special representative, Ambassador Philippe Lefort who has specific mandate to generate some support and help to the OSCE Minsk Group process, " said Kobia.
He said this was a strong and clear signal from EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton who appointed ambassador Lefort to show the EU is really continuing to focus on the conflict.
"During her visit to Azerbaijan, Ashton reaffirmed very clearly her willingness to try to help a quick and lasting solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh," Kobia said.
EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Ambassador Philippe Lefort was appointed to the post, which Peter Semneby held earlier.
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.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.