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EU calls on cooperation and dialogue in Caucasus: EU High Representative for Foreign Policy

Politics Materials 23 December 2008 13:09 (UTC +04:00)
EU calls on cooperation and dialogue in Caucasus: EU High Representative for Foreign Policy

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 23 / Trend , E.Ostapenko /The EU supports any regional cooperation and constructive dialogue, which intensify relations between countries in the region, Javier Solana,

EU High Representative for the CFSP, said.

"We welcomed the Moscow declaration of Nov. 2 and the declaration of Helsinki of Dec. 4, as they confirmed that all sides sign up to the need for a peaceful solution," Solana said to Trend .

The Moscow declaration signed by Presidents of Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia at the meeting on Nov. 2 and envisages stirring up of activity by the sides in order to reach peace within the OSCE Minsk Group in the region.

The joint statement was accepted at the meeting of foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia with participation of foreign ministers of the OESC Minsk Group co-chairmen -Russia, the U.S. and France - in Helsinki on Dec. 4 at the annual meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of OSCE.

Minsk Group called Armenia and Azerbaijan to complete the agreement of basic principles of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which will be laid in the foundation of the comprehensive peace agreement, Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, said as a result of the meeting, ITAR-TASS reported.

Solana calls on the sides on behalf of the EU to act in this direction and continue the constructive dialogue.

"Today's impulse should not be lost," Solana said.

Progress in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will also facilitate the normalisation of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began in 1988, due to the Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since 1992, the Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven neighbouring districts. In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement which ended the active hostilities. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Russia, France, and the US) are currently holding the peaceful negotiations.

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