YEREVAN.- EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia Philippe Lefort dismissed  reports on possible changes in the format of the OSCE Minsk Group and replacing France by EU.

Addressing the professors of Center for European Studies at Yerevan State University, Lefort said different views had been voiced during the debates.

“However, there is a format of the OSCE Minsk Group,” he said. Lefort stressed it is impossible to replace France and there are several reasons for it.

“The Minsk Group has specific scenario – Madrid Principle. There is a risk that changes in format may bring talks to nothing,” he said.

As regards mandate of the EU Special Representative, Lefort said his goal is to assist EU integration of the South Caucasus states.

“It is a long process but we have patience, aspiration and hope,” the official concluded.