16 December: The European Union Ambassador to Azerbaijan predicted that in 2012 there will be a stronger EU engagement in supporting the process of the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Ambassador Rolad Kobia said that the EU recognize

Speaking at a press brieifng in Baku Ambassador Kobia reminded journalists that this year the EU's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, had appointed a new special representative, Ambassador Philippe Lefort, who has a specific mandate to support the OSCE Minsk process to resolve the Karabakh conflict.

"I think this is a clear, strong signal from Catherine Ashton that the EU is interested in resolution of this conflict. She decided to continue the post and even to focus its mandate on the conflict. This is a sign that the EU is answering the request of Azerbaijan and others to be more active on this. We are not members of the Minsk Group, but we are close to the Minsk Group and try to support it," the ambassador said.

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