VIENNA–The European Union seeks a stable South Caucasus with open borders and prosperity, the special representative of the European Union for the South Caucasus, Peter Semneby, said on Friday, speaking to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna.
“The EU strongly supports a stable South Caucasus region with open borders, taking advantage of all opportunities for prosperity,” said Semneby. “The launch of the Eastern Partnership in Prague three weeks ago makes it abundantly clear that the EU’s commitment to the region has been raised to a new level of ambition.”
But the unresolved conflicts in the region continue to present a fundamental obstacle for stability, political reform and economic development, and regional co-operation, Semneby added in an apparent reference to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
He also noted that the EU continues to fully support international efforts to find a solution to the Karabakh conflict being spearheaded by the OSCE Minsk Group. “The EU stands ready to offer support and any assistance necessary, in particular through stepping up our own efforts in promoting confidence-building measures and people-to-people contacts,” Semneby said.