The European Union seeks to increase involvement in regional developments in South Caucasus through aiding conflicting parties in the Nagorno Karabakh issue, the new EU Special Representative (EUSR) for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia said.
“Karabakh issue equally afflicts the conflicting parties. EU-developed mechanisms and experience in conflict settlement may promote rapid resolution of the issue,” ambassador Philippe Lefort told a news conference in Yerevan.
Philippe Lefort was appointed as EUSR for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia by Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in late August. Later came reports on Lefort extending the mandate. It encompasses contributing to the peaceful resolution of conflicts in line with international law norms and implementation of agreements in coordination with the UN, OSCE and Minsk Group.
The EUSR’s mandate also envisages fostering ties with governments, parliaments and other key political entities, juridical authorities and civil communities, encouraging the countries of the region to collaborate on issues of mutual concern, combating terrorism, illegal trafficking and organized crime.
Philippe Lefort was French ambassador to Georgia (2004-2007) and deputy head of mission at the French embassy in Russia (2007-2010). Since 2010 he has been head of the Continental Europe Department at the French Foreign Ministry.
