Azerbaijan is a very important country from the strategic point of view; it is the country with extremely important and sensitive geo-strategic position, it is also a country with important economic potential, the former Romanian foreign minister, member of European Parliament Adrian Severin told Trend May 26.

He made the remarks commenting on Azerbaijan’s role in international community.

“We have to appreciate balanced foreign policy led by Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan is developing very clever policy in relations with European Union, plays very important role in relations with neighboring countries,” he said.

“I only hope that Azerbaijan will receive and return to its balance international support in resolving of Nagorno–Karabakh problem which waits for its solution already for too long time, I think Azerbaijan needs more support and more clarity from international community in this aspect,” said Severin.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US are currently holding peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented the UN Security Council’s four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.

Romanian politician also stressed the importance of the Southern Gas Corridor project.

“This project is extremely important for European Union, it is also project that can bring together many states improving their economical cooperation and certainly their political relations,” he said. “I believe constructive role Azerbaijan is playing in realization of the project is going to be extremely important, another example of positive role that Azerbaijan plays in the region.”