EU hopes for progress in settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by end of the year

"The European Union supports the work being conducted by the three co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk group and praises the increased efforts of the sides to try to get their positions closer to an agreement," the press release on results of Semneby's visit to Azerbaijan said.

As part of his regular consultations with the Azerbaijani authorities, the EU Special Representative Peter Semneby met during his visit to Baku with President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadiyarov.

During his visit, the EUSR also discussed with his Azerbaijani interlocutors the Turkish-Armenian normalisation process and its implications for Azerbaijan.

"The EU has welcomed the agreement between Turkey and Armenia to start internal consultations on the bilateral protocols. The EUSR outlined with his Baku interlocutors the EU's vision of the South Caucasus, where the opening of all borders would enhance peace, security and stability and permit the region to develop its full economic potential," the press release says.

An agreement to restore diplomatic ties is expected to be signed between Turkey and Armenia on Oct. 10. This agreement was reached at talks mediated by Switzerland. The protocols will be submitted for ratification by the parliaments of two countries.

The European Union Special Representative also had an open exchange of views with the Azerbaijani authorities on the relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union. The Eastern Partnership programme, which creates a new framework for the relations between the European Union and six countries of its Eastern neighbourhood, was discussed.  

The European Union and Azerbaijan can bring their relation to another level through the Eastern Partnership, the press release said.

Eastern Partnership offers all partner countries the prospects for deeper bilateral engagement in the form of a possibility to conclude Association Agreements. Association Agreements will provide for the establishment of free trade areas, where the positive effects of trade and investment liberalization will be strengthened by regulatory approximation leading to convergence with EU laws and standards.

The European Union will also develop Comprehensive Institution-Building Programmes individually with each partner country in order to improve their administrative capacity, including through training, technical assistance and any appropriate innovative measures.

/Trend News/