EU mulls closer co-op with S Caucasus
Representatives of the European Union ``troika``,
the bloc`s diplomats in charge of foreign policy, met with the
foreign ministers of the South Caucasus states in Luxembourg on
Monday to discuss closer cooperation.
Similar meetings have been held in the past year to discuss the EU`s Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. The 27-member bloc is offering the three regional states open-ended association agreements which could, in the long term, lead to free trade and easier travel arrangements. EU membership is not on the agenda at this point.
At a news conference following the meeting, speakers noted that the EU plans to start negotiating the association agreements with the South Caucasus states in November.
The three countries are also participating in the bloc`s European New Neighborhood Policy and Eastern Partnership programs.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told the press conference that the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict was the biggest problem facing the volatile region.
``We are confident that if we want peace and stability in the region, first of all, a withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the occupied Azerbaijani territories is necessary. If we want peace and development in the region, this is the main condition.``
Further, Mammadyarov said there were ``various options`` for gas exports, without pointing to the NABUCCO pipeline project, which will pump gas from the Caspian and Central Asia regions to Europe.
Similar meetings have been held in the past year to discuss the EU`s Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. The 27-member bloc is offering the three regional states open-ended association agreements which could, in the long term, lead to free trade and easier travel arrangements. EU membership is not on the agenda at this point.
At a news conference following the meeting, speakers noted that the EU plans to start negotiating the association agreements with the South Caucasus states in November.
The three countries are also participating in the bloc`s European New Neighborhood Policy and Eastern Partnership programs.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told the press conference that the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict was the biggest problem facing the volatile region.
``We are confident that if we want peace and stability in the region, first of all, a withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the occupied Azerbaijani territories is necessary. If we want peace and development in the region, this is the main condition.``
Further, Mammadyarov said there were ``various options`` for gas exports, without pointing to the NABUCCO pipeline project, which will pump gas from the Caspian and Central Asia regions to Europe.
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