Conflict settlement and establishment of regional peace may pave a way to the European Union, according to the new EU Special Representative (EUSR) for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia.

As ambassador Philippe Lefort told a news conference in Yerevan, “Armenia has significant economic potential which may be put to use in peaceful time. The diplomat expressed support for OSCE Minsk Group, considering it the most suitable format for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.

On September 4, Lefort arrived in South Caucasus. Visits to Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia were on ambassador’s agenda. During his stay in Yerevan, ambassador Lefort met the President of the Republic of Armenia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defense, the Secretary of the National Security Council, the Speaker of Parliament and the Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Relations.

Philippe Lefort was appointed as EUSR for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia by Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in late August. Later came reports on Lefort extending the mandate. It encompasses contributing to the peaceful resolution of conflicts in line with international law norms and implementation of agreements in coordination with the UN, OSCE and Minsk Group.

The EUSR’s mandate also envisages fostering ties with governments, parliaments and other key political entities, juridical authorities and civil communities, encouraging the countries of the region to collaborate on issues of mutual concern, combating terrorism, illegal trafficking and organized crime.

Philippe Lefort was French ambassador to Georgia (2004-2007) and deputy head of mission at the French embassy in Russia (2007-2010). Since 2010 he has been head of the Continental Europe Department at the French Foreign Ministry.