EU OFFICIALS SEEK CLOSER TIES WITH AZERBAIJAN, GEORGIA, ARMENIA
Earthtimes
Feb 1 2008
UK
Brussels – Top officials from the European Union travel to Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Armenia next week to advance closer ties between the
South Caucasus and the 27-member bloc. Officials in Brussels said
Friday that the talks are also expected to focus on energy, human
rights and frozen conflicts.
These include the separatist ambitions of Georgia’s South Ossetia
and Abkhazia regions – which some observers say could be rekindled
by the EU’s probable decision to recognise an independent Kosovo –
and the Armenia-Azerbaijan standoff over Nagorno-Karabakh.
The EU executive, the European Commission, is an observer to the Joint
Control Commission, a conflict-settlement mechanism for South Ossetia.
The EU is providing the three South Caucasus countries with about
100 million euros (150 million dollars) each in assistance over the
2007-2010 period as part of its European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).
"Relations between the EU and the countries of the Southern Caucasus
are growing ever closer. This is my third visit to the region, and I
am looking forward to discussing the implementation of our ENP Action
plans, energy security, regional issues including the frozen conflicts,
as well as international issues," said Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the
EU commissioner in charge of external relations.
Ferrero-Waldner was to be flanked during her February 4-6 visit by
Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, whose country holds the
rotating presidency of the bloc, and Peter Semneby, the EU’s special
representative for the Southern Caucasus.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
