E.Mammadyarov: Azerbaijan expects the resumption of negotiations with the European Union

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov hopes that the renewed European Neighborhood Policy the EU will comply with the wishes of the partners. Azerbaijan is ready for bilateral consultations with the EU on these issues, Mammadyarov said, speaking on May 4 at a meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Vishegrad countries and the member countries of "Eastern Partnership".

According to him, the doubts about the future of the program "Eastern Partnership" amplify. At the same time, Azerbaijan's trans-regional projects are  aimed at reviving the multilateral format of "Eastern Partnership", he said.  "Azerbaijan is and will be a reliable partner in energy security of Europe," said Mammadyarov.

The Minister also recalled that at the Riga Summit of the program "Eastern Partnership" Azerbaijan presented a draft agreement on the EU strategic partnership. This agreement will raise bilateral relations to a qualitatively new level of partnership. "Recently, we have completed a joint consultation on the draft of the agreement, and are now looking forward to the start of negotiations,"  the minister said.

Referring to the Karabakh conflict, the Minister noted that the recent Armenian provocations on the contact line in April this year, have led to an unprecedented aggravation. "We have always openly stated that finding the Armenian armed forces in Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions of Azerbaijan - the main source of instability and the cause of frequent bloody clashes,"  he said.

Azerbaijan is committed to peaceful settlement. "Road Map" for peace and stability in the region is clear, and it is based on international law. "Azerbaijan, as the country of the  Vishegrad Four ,and other five countries of the "Eastern Partnership"  will not make concessions on the issue of its territorial integrity. Armenian armed units should be unconditionally withdrawn from all the occupied Azerbaijani territories, internally displaced persons and refugees should be safely returned to their native land, as required by UN Security Council resolution," said Mamedyarov.-06D-