The European Union sees Azerbaijan as a key partner in a region that is becoming increasingly important in many different ways, the EU Special Envoy for South Caucasus Peter Semneby exclusively informed Trend.
According to him, the signing of an Energy Memorandum gives a good foundation for future energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union. But it was clear from the talks that the relationship should be based on more than energy, he underlined. The Action Plan within the European Neighbourhood Policy which will be formally
adopted on Tuesday 14 November lays the foundation for a deep and multifaceted relationship based on shared values, which should be a cornerstone in the future transformation of Azerbaijani society.
According to the Special Envoy, the meeting of the Azerbaijani President with the EU high-ranking representatives was also an opportunity to talk about the larger picture,including the different challenges that the South Caucasus region is facing and how Azerbaijan is meeting them.
The peace efforts in Nagorny Karabakh were also discussed. The EU continues to support the efforts of the Minsk Group and is satisfied to notice that the dialogue has made some progress lately with several meetings of the foreign ministers over the course of a relatively short period. We hope that both countries will realize that the open conflict has a high cost in the form of opportunities that are not realized or lost, Semneby underlined.
The whole region would be more stable, secure and prosperous if the two countries could come to an agreement and the borders would be opened.
It was a successful visit, which could lay the foundation for a very productive and beneficial relationship, Semneby added. Speaking about the upcoming visit to the region, Semneby underlined that he will try to meet the political leaders along with representatives of civil society and oppistion politicians, perhaps also some business representatives. I try to cover as many angles of Azeri society as possible, Semneby concluded.