High Representative: EU will take a more active role in South Caucasus

“The South Caucasus is important to the EU, in terms of transport corridors linking the EU with Asia and the diversification of EU energy resources. So, we should foster the region’s role as a connectivity hub,” EU High Representative Josep Borrell said in his article “Why we need more EU engagement in the South Caucasus?”.

“There is a growing expectation on the side of EU member states and partners for the EU to take a more active role in addressing the conflicts in the Eastern neighborhood,” he said.

“I was glad that Alexander Schallenberg, Gabrielius Landsbergis, and Bogdan Aurescu, the Foreign Ministers of Austria, Lithuania, and Romania, accepted my invitation and traveled to the region at short notice. It was evident that the South Caucasus merited such a visit to support the EU’s agenda and build on the recent developments and positive steps from Armenia and Azerbaijan,” the EU High Representative said.

According to him, the Ministers passed three main messages to the leaders of the South Caucasus countries:

- The EU is committed to be an active player to promote conflict resolution in the region;
- The EU is ready to develop bilateral relationships while supporting regional cooperation and connectivity; and
- The EU is attached to the inclusivity and flexibility of the Eastern Partnership policy framework.