UK DIPLOMAT: CRISIS IN EU NOT TO AFFECT NEIGHBORHOOD POLICY

The UK as representative of the EU President realizes the significance of the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) as a factor stimulating the development of democratic norms and integration of Azerbaijan into the international community, US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Laurie Bristow stated. Drawing attention to the ongoing crisis in the EU caused by the debate on adoption of the EU Constitution the Ambassador stressed that “independently of the situation the EU should not limit itself to the settlement of inner problems.” Gradual integration of the new neighbors into the EU should be at the heart of the ENP. To adopt the program the EU experts will arrive in Azerbaijan with a draft, which will serve as a basis for Azerbaijan’s further integration into the European structures”, Mr. Bristow noted. To remind, June 14, 2004 the EU Council decided to include the South Caucasian states in the ENP.