EP RESOLUTION ON KARABAKH GOES CONTRARY TO EU PRINCIPLES
PanARMENIAN.Net
May 21, 2010 – 12:45 AMT 07:45 GMT
The European Parliament’s resolution goes contrary to the EU
principles, Armenia’s Foreign Minister said.
"The resolution’ provisions do not coincide either with Madrid
Principles or L’Aquila and Moscow declarations," Edward Nalbandian
said during a joint news conference with his Argentine counterpart
Jorge Taiana.
"The problem is that the author of the document has never been to
Karabakh or consulted with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs. Some points
contradict to the position taken by the EU and fixed in the Athens
statement," the Minister said.
"Although Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia have been partners of the
EU’s Neighborhood Policy since 2004, a comprehensive regional strategy
is still lacking for the region, says the resolution, which was drafted
by Evgeni Kirilov (S&D, BG). "EU’s main objective in the region is to
encourage the development of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia towards
open, peaceful, stable and democratic countries, ready to establish
good neighborly relations and able to transform the South Caucasus
into a region of sustainable peace, stability and prosperity."
It emphasizes that "retaining the status quo in the conflicts in
the region is unacceptable and unsustainable, since it bears the
constant risk of an escalation of tensions and a resumption of armed
hostilities." It welcomes "the dynamic pace of the negotiations on
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict illustrated by the six meetings between
the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan held over the course of 2009."
MEPs are "seriously concerned that hundreds of thousands of refugees
and IDPs who fled their homes during or in connection with the Nagorno
Karabakh war remain displaced and denied their rights, including the
right to return, property rights and the right to personal security",
call on all parties "to unambiguously and unconditionally recognize
these rights, the need for their prompt realization and for a prompt
solution to this problem that respects the principles of international
law" and demand "the withdrawal of Armenian forces from all occupied
territories of Azerbaijan."
The resolution "condemns the idea of a military solution and the
heavy consequences of military force already used, and calls on both
parties to avoid any further breaches of the 1994 ceasefire."
It also stresses that "real efforts are needed to pave the way for
a lasting peace; asks all relevant authorities to avoid provocative
policies and rhetoric, inflammatory statements and manipulation
of history; calls on the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to act
responsibly, tone down speeches and prepare the ground, so that public
opinion accepts and fully understands the benefits of a comprehensive
settlement."