Italian Deputy FM: Europe should have a central role in resolution of conflicts in the Caucasus

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“Europe should have a central role in the resolution of conflicts in the Caucasus,” Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Famiano Crucianelli told journalists in Tbilisi after a meeting with Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili. He noted that “Georgia has conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia and a conflict with Russia” and the EU should help it to settle them.

“The EU should look for a way-out of the situation. It should be based on the principle of Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. The second condition is a political dialogue for the sides to define their common interests and, on their basis, to develop their relations,” Crucianelli said. He pointed out that “there is one more condition: it should be seen that no obstacle be created to the choice Georgia has made towards Europe.”

Crucianelli said that “the Georgian government officials have pointed out many spheres where our countries may have common interests” and that “Italy and Europe, as a whole, should do all they can to find a political way-out of this situation.” “The problem of the South Caucasus, just like the problem of the Balkans, is the problem of the EU – because we have undertaken a serious commitment to contribute to the resolution of those conflicts.”