Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 2 / Trend E.Ostapenko /
The newly appointed European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, Ambassador Philippe Lefort, will pay a visit to Azerbaijan on Sept.4-5, the EU Baku Office reported.
During his stay in Baku, Ambassador Lefort is expected to meet the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Minister of Defence, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Speaker of Parliament and the Chairman of the Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee and others.
The EU attaches great importance to cooperation with the South Caucasus region and Azerbaijan, said head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan Ambassador Roland Kobia.
"I am certain that with his expertise and in-depth knowledge of the region Ambassador Lefort will provide a useful contribution to further development of contacts with government structures, civil society in the country, promote the regional cooperation on themes of common interest and contribute to the peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict," said Kobia, the organization reported in a press release.
Mr Lefort replaces Pierre Morel who served as EUSR for the crisis in Georgia until 31 August 2011 and Peter Semneby who served as EUSR for the South Caucasus until 28 February 2011.
Philippe Lefort is a French diplomat of more than 20 years' experience. He has devoted large parts of his career to the Caucasus and Russia, among other things as French Ambassador in Georgia (2004-2007) and as Deputy Head of Mission at the French Embassy in Russia (2007-2010).
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the Commission, Catherine Ashton, has earlier welcomed the appointment of Philippe Lefort. "I am confident that he is an ideal choice for the EUSR for the South Caucasus and the crisis inGeorgia and that he will enhance the EU's role in this sensitive region, "Ashton said.
"Lefort has an in-depth knowledge of the region and years of experience working there at
the very highest level, "she said.
The post of the Special Representative for the South Caucasus has been vacant since February, when Semneby's mandate ended.