FORMER SWEDISH POLITICIAN PLANS TO STRENGTHEN THE PROPAGANDA OF THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT IN THE EU
U. Sadikhova
Trend
Jan 10 2011
Azerbaijan
Ex-head of Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Council of Europe (PACE), Goran Lindblad is to begin a project,
which will allow European politicians and organizations to get better
acquainted with the current situation around Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
in mid-January.
The project of the former head of the Swedish delegation in PACE will
be held under the coordination of Azerbaijani- European community
(TEAS), based in London.
“I will advise the TEAS and will lobby the situation around
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through European politicians,” – said
Lindblad. in an interview with a correspondent of Trend. – The project
includes meetings with my colleagues in the European Council and
European Parliament. I have already discussed with politicians from
Finland, Belgium, Holland and Spain, and am planning to appeal to
all members of the EU and PACE.
In addition to working with European politicians, Lindblad plans to
cooperate with the Azerbaijani parliamentarians.
“At present we have no direct contact with Baku, but, of course,
I am planning to get in touch with colleagues in Parliament” – he said.
The main objective of the Lindblad`s project, a former member of
the Swedish Parliament from the Moderate Party, aims to strengthen
the propaganda among European policy makers regarding resolution of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the level of which in his opinion,
is still low.
“The only way to reach a progress – is to raise awareness and
familiarity, otherwise nothing will happen” – said Lindblad. – The
level of awareness [about the Nagorno-Karabakh], within the European
public, including politicians, is quite low. ”
The negotiation process to resolve the conflict under the auspices
of the OSCE Minsk Group, according to Lindblad, is very slow, given
the lack of pressure from the EU.
“If the European political establishment would be better informed
and aware, then it is able to exert pressure with its Russian
counterparts. Without the pressure of European countries, nothing
significant will happen “- said Lindblad.
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, with
the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, comprising Russia, France,
and the U.S., currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding
regions.
From: A. Papazian