AZERBAIJAN MAY BE EXPELLED FROM EU NEW NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM

“Before the yearend Azerbaijan will be in focus of my attention during the visits to South Caucasus region. November 6 parliamentary election will be held in Azerbaijan that will become a good opportunity to demonstrate the country’s ability to hold free and fair election,” EU special representative for South Caucasus Heikki Talvitie stated at yesterday’s news conference at the British Embassy when commenting on the outcomes of his visit to Azerbaijan. Talvitie specially underscored that within the coming months he will pay more attention to Azerbaijan due to the parliamentary election and is going to visit the country two times – in September and October – to acquaint with the situation on the eve of the election. He noted the EU is going to send its observers to the election in Azerbaijan. “However, we await the Azeri Government’s invitation,” he said. Talvitie supposes the parliamentary election will not influence the course of talks over Karabakh settlement, “The EU appreciates the meeting of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Warsaw, after which specific instructions were given to the FMs.” As far as we are informed the OSCE MG Co-Chairs are coming to the region in the near future. The EU is also going to activate efforts to settle the conflict.” The other day Azeri FM E. Mamedyarov received Mr. Talvitie. The latter expressed hope for open and fair parliamentary election to be held in the country. The parties exchanged views on implementation of the Plan of Actions on Cooperation, drawn within the EU New Neighborhood Policy. The parties also exchanged views over the Karabakh peace settlement. However, as reported by diplomatic sources, not everyone in the EU shares Mr. Talvitie’s optimism. In case the election falls short of minimal European standards, the EU will revise its relations with Azerbaijan. E.g. amendments to the New Neighborhood Program that refer to Azerbaijan may be introduced. “In case the holding of the parliamentary election is exceptionally bad, it is not ruled out that the implementation of the program regarding Azerbaijan may be totally stopped,” a source in diplomatic circles said, reported the Zerkalo Azeri newspaper.