Brussels, 28/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 27 February, the Foreign Affairs Council reiterated its request for a peace agreement to settle the conflicts in the South Caucasus - in Georgia, on one hand, and between Armenia and Azerbaijan, on the other. It called on “all relevant parties” to remain deeply committed to that aim.
Foreign ministers spoke of their strong support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and stated their concern regarding Russian military presence in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. They urged Moscow to comply with its obligations in pursuance of the ceasefire agreement of August 2008. The Council also underlined that it was ready to strengthen its commitment with those regions, mainly to the benefit of the inhabitants.
Concerned by the slowness of talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan for finding a settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and by the fact that tension has recently increased along the line of contact between the states, EU foreign ministers stated how important it was to take urgent measures to set the ceasefire in place and adopt confidence-building measures. They reiterated their support for the Minsk group.
Negotiations on trade and visas. Ministers highlighted the fact that they are waiting for negotiations to be launched for an agreement on a “deep and comprehensive” free trade area with Armenia during the first half of 2012. They also welcomed progress made in talks for the association agreement.
The Council encouraged “continued effective implementation” of readmission agreements and visa facilitation with Georgia “in order to open a visa dialogue”. It also welcomed progress made by Tbilissi in talks on an association agreement and the launch of negotiations on a “deep and comprehensive” free trade area.
Ministers welcomed the fact that negotiations on readmission agreements and visa facilitation with Azerbaijan were “imminent”, and encouraged the country to step up its efforts to take talks forward in order to seal the association agreement. They voiced their commitment to improving the trade and investment-related provisions of the partnership and cooperation agreement. (CG/transl.jl)