EU Special Representative:

European Union has relevant mechanisms and big experience in conflict management and is willing to assist Armenia and Azerbaijan in peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict, EU Special Representative for South Caucasus and Crisis in Georgia Philippe Lefort said in a briefing with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

He said that Armenia and Azerbaijan are EU partners in peace making in the region. And resolution of conflict is the shortest way for the countries in the region to the EU Association. Philippe Lefort said that negotiations for resolution of the Karabakh conflict are the key mission of the OSCE Minsk Group and EU is ready to render additional assistance in the process. He said that the South Caucasus has big economic and cultural opportunities that can be developed only after establishment of peace in the region.

Lefort believes that the South Caucasus plays the role of an overland bridge between Europe and Asia-Pasific and it is not only a transit country but also a zone of unique cultural diversity. EU considers the South Caucasus an interesting region for cooperation in implementation of various joint projects, the diplomat said.

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
European leaders set out their plan for Ukraine

European leaders set out their plan for Ukraine

The leaders of Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and United Kingdom, together with the President of the European Council, and the President of the European Commission, o  Monday (15 December) issued a statement, outlining their plan for Ukraine. In their statement, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Frederiksen, President Stubb, President Macron, Prime Minister Meloni, Prime Minister Schoof, Prime Minister Støre, Prime Minister Tusk, Prime Minister Kristersson, Prime Minister Starmer, as well as President Costa and President von der Leyen spoke about "Peace for Ukraine". The Leaders welcomed significant progress on President Trump’s efforts to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. They also welcomed the close work between President Zelenskyy’s and President Trump’s teams as well as European teams over the recent days and weeks. They agreed to work together with President Trump and President Zelenskyy to get to a lasting peace which preserves Ukrainian sovereignty and European security. Leaders appreciated the strong convergence between the United States, Ukraine and Europe. Leaders agreed that ensuring the security, sovereignty, and prosperity of Ukraine was integral for wider Euro-Atlantic security. They were clear that Ukraine and its people deserved a prosperous, independent, and sovereign future, free from fear of future Russian aggression. Both the US and European leaders committed to work together to provide robust security guarantees and economic recovery support measures for Ukraine in the context of an agreement on ending the war. This would include commitments to: Provide sustained and significant support to Ukraine to build its armed forces, which should remain at a peacetime level of 800,000 to be able to deter conflict and defend Ukraine’s territory. A European-led ‘multinational force Ukraine’ made up from contributions from willing nations within the framework of the Coalition of the Willing and supported by the US. It will assist in the regeneration of Ukraine’s forces, in securing Ukraine’s skies, and in supporting safer seas, including through operating inside Ukraine. (Click the image to read the statement in full).

Popular