Sir,

The protracted territorial conflicts that have beset Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia for the last 15 years are probably the single most important obstacle to political and economic reform in the South Caucasus. The duration of these conflicts has also allowed the region’s security problems to multiply, including terrorism, aggressive separatism, organised crime, trafficking in human beings, drug-smuggling and the proliferation of light weapons in areas beyond the control of central authorities. Regrettably, international negotiations have so far failed to resolve these conflicts, which endanger the sovereignty and territorial integrity of two states of the region, namely Azerbaijan and Georgia.

Nevertheless, just like George Tarkhan-Mouravi, we Azerbaijanis believe that deeper EU engagement in the region could help to transform the South Caucasus into a peaceful and prosperous region. To this end, Azerbaijan considers the European Neighbourhood Policy to be a promising policy instrument, offering sufficient flexibility and diversification in its approach towards each country to be effective. We hope that the ENP and the implementation of individual Action Plans could serve to strengthen the political independence of South Caucasus countries and further consolidation their statehood.

However, it is important to stress that the EU must treat each country alike when it comes to condemning armed separatism, ethnic extremism, terrorism etc. These threats undermine peace and security not only in the region but in Europe as a whole. Therefore the EU should not differentiate between the countries of the South Caucasus nor show any partiality in its efforts to find a solution to their drawn-out conflicts. The norms and principles of international law must provide the basis for the earliest possible resolution of all these territorial disputes.

On the positive side, Azerbaijan already provides a good example of the potential benefits of greater EU involvement in the region. Over years of cooperation with the EU, Azerbaijan has managed to stabilise its economy and transform itself from a recipient of EU aid to a strategic partner of the Union. Azerbaijan’s extraordinary economic performance is widely perceived as the main driver of the region’s development. The country has undertaken major regional infrastructure developments, notably the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and the Baku-Tibilisi-Erzerum oil and gas pipelines, as well as the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Baku railroad. All these projects are designed to increase the strategic importance of the South Caucasus and to demonstrate its crucial role in tackling some of the major economic challenges of the modern world, including energy security and improved inter-continental trade.