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After weeks of tension on the line of contact, diplomats hope that meetings in Munich and Moscow over the next days will lead to a resumption of negotiations

Georgia and the EU emphasised the importance of the Geneva International Talks as the paramount mechanism for discussing problematic issues relating to the conflict regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and for making appropriate decisions.

Speaking at the Atlantic Council in Washington on Friday, Mrs Morgherini said that the European Union has a strong policy and principled position when it comes to Ukraine based on the basic, vital principle that you do not change borders by force.

Commonspace.eu political editor said that the Azerbaijani position in the OSCE Permanent Council reflects a wider hardening of positions in international fora.

The visit of President Aliev to Brussels this week has been very positively assessed in both Brussels and Baku, however this relationship is not an automatic fit, and it will take time and effort on both sides for relations to develop to the qualitative higher level that the two sides want. But what is abundantly clear to both sides is that, this notwithstanding, Azerbaijan and the EU have much to benefit from a strong relationship, and also much to contribute.

The decision came following an official visit to Brussels by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev on Monday during which he met EU Council President Donald Tusk and other officials.

Azerbaijan and the European Union will start negotiations on a new agreement between them on Tuesday, after a successful visit of president Aliev to Brussels.

Commonspace.eu will be following the visit with a live blog starting Monday at 0800 Brussels Time / 1100 Baku time.

The results of the visit of President Ilham Aliev to Brussels will likely define relations between the European Union and Azerbaijan for the next decade.