EU is concerned by frequent violations of the ceasefire regime on the contact line between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops. "This situation bothers us. We see that the situation has recently become more regular and serious," EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby told media in the Heydar Aliyev international airport in Baku. Semneby said that it is necessary to take measures to avoid such cases.

Karabakh must not be a blank spot on the map of Europe, EU special representative for the South Caucasus said.

As to his possible visit to Nagorno-Karabakh, together with representatives of the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh, Semneby said that this issue has not been resolved yet. But maybe it will be held. It is important to have a dialogue and contacts between all parties of the conflict, he said.

Semneby's visit will continue till July 1.

During the visit Semneby will meet with Azerbaijani leadership. They will discuss urgent issues, including progress in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the upcoming parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, scheduled for early November, energy issues and cooperation with the EU.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied territories.

Semneby did not comment on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"There is the OSCE Minsk Group to resolve the conflict. The recent statement by the Presidents of France, U.S and Russia is very important. This creates a serious basis for a serious process," Semneby said.

He said that people of both sides must know about details of the negotiation process. TREND