Deterioration of Relations with EU Harms Karabakh Settlement - Experts

The relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union and the current situation in the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict were discussed at a meeting of the Public Council for the settlement of the Karabakh conflict (Nagorno-Karabakh Council) yesterday.

At a meeting in the office of the Azerbaijan National Committee of Helsinki Citizens' Assembly (HCA ANC) political experts noted that the exit of Azerbaijan from PA Euronest may have negative consequences.

In the structure, where there will be no Azerbaijan, opportunities will expand for the activity of Armenia, which is actively cooperating with the EU.

It was also noted that the concept of security of Azerbaijan at the European integration course is listed as the main vector. EU countries are major trade partners of Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan’s oil and gas will come to Europe.

The European Commission supports Azerbaijan in implementing gas transportation projects TAP and TANAP. Azerbaijan is a member of the EU Eastern Partnership. Taking into account all these factors, the strategic ties with the EU are in the interests of the national security of Azerbaijan.

Therefore, the weakening of these ties is inadmissible and meets the interests of Russia and Armenia.

Instead of freezing relations with the EU, it is necessary to expand dialogue with Brussels, to discuss controversial topics. The weakening of ties with the EU will have a negative impact on the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. "Russia's goal is not a fair settlement of the conflict, but the release of several areas for the deployment of its troops. If Russia gets the opportunity, it will never withdraw its troops from Karabakh and just settlement will not be achieved, they mentioned at the meeting. -06D--