EU Wants to Play ‘Strong and Solid’ Role in Karabakh Conflict Settlement: Catherine Ashton

The European Union would like to play a “strong and solid role” to help support Azerbaijan and Armenia in settling the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. This is a very difficult conflict and it needs to be resolved, said the EU’s High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, speaking in Brussels before the session of the Foreign Affairs Council.

HR Catherine Ashton mentioned that apart from examining the current situation in Syria and in Egypt and exchanging views on the Middle East peace process, the Council will also discuss recent developments in the South Caucasus and in Serbia/Kosovo.

“There is going to be a discussion on the Southern Caucasus and I always take the view we should have a broad discussion. As you know I’ve been to Azerbaijan, to Armenia, to Georgia in recent weeks to have discussions with all of them about both their relationship to the European Union and of course, in the case of Azerbaijan and Armenia, my great concern for what is happening in Nagorno-Karabakh. You’ll probably hear from France as it is involved with the Minsk Group and I have a special representative [Philippe Lefort] working down there. We have a very strong relationship with Georgia and want to play a strong and solid role with Armenia and Azerbaijan to be able to help and support this very difficult conflict. This needs to be resolved,” she said.

Note, the Council is due to adopt conclusions on some of these subjects.