European commission ready to contribute to settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Benito Ferrero-Waldner

"It is necessary to resolve the conflict as soon as possible and the European Commission is ready to contribute to it," the EU External Relations Commissioner Benito Ferroro-Waldner said at the meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Ministe Elmar Mammadyarov in New York on Sept. 23, the Foreign Ministry said.

Mammadyarov said the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be resolved within 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 matter.

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 benefited both sides to a great degree.

The EU External Commissioner said 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 with Azerbaijan and the relevant mandate would be soon developed.

/Trend News/