Thursday, 10 July 2014 10:16
The delegation of one of the political forces represented at the
European Parliament – the European Free Alliance (EFA) – has recently
visited our Republic on the invitation of the Artsakh Democratic
Party. Using the opportunity of participating in the Party congress,
the delegation met with the parliamentary political forces and some
NGOs operating in our Republic.
Following is our interview with EFA Deputy Chairman Miguel Martinez
Tommy.
– Mr. Tommy, you’ve probably managed to get somewhat acquainted with
our country for a few days. What are your impressions?
– First, I’d like to note that I feel myself as in a usual European
country. The life is quite vivacious in the capital. When you meet
with the civil society, representatives of which say that democracy
is developing here with years, new thinking and new approaches are
emerging, so you conclude that everything is developing here up with
the times. People are seeking social equality, and this means that the
desire to protect the achievements prevails here, and most importantly,
the people honor the price, at which they have achieved all this.
– In this mid-February, our Parliament Speaker, who is also Chairman
of the Artsakh Democratic Party, participated as an invitee in the
12th summit of the European Free Alliance in Spain. During the
meetings, the establishment of mutual contacts with Artsakh was
discussed. Interacting with various sections of the society here,
can you see any concrete ways of cooperation?
– I see the necessity of such cooperation.
The NKR was in the focus of attention of Western Europe in 1988-1994.
After the war, the Karabakh issue dropped out of the Western mass media
attention. Now it’s time to discuss the issue again, already with
new achievements, in order that Europe have a full idea of today’s
Artsakh and do not judge about it from the image of 80-90s. I think
that you should lead a more active work in this direction, so that
the time does not work against you.
– In early May, a delegation of the European Parliament and Spanish
Parliament paid a visit to the ArtsakhRepublic. Two MPs represented the
Basque Country struggling for the right to self-determination. During
the press conference taken place at the Parliament, it was stressed
that in today’s European human rights run contrary to the national
states’ interests. What do you think about it?
– Really, it may seem at first sight that the right to
self-determination runs counter to the interests of the EU
member-states, but it is just seeming. We in the European Free Alliance
believe that the right to self-determination is applicable, and it does
not matter what is the ultimate goal of the right – confederative or
creating a state on a federal basis, or establishing a higher-degree
autonomy. This is explained by the fact that the EFA-member Parties are
seeking different-degree autonomy. We are struggling for the rights
that are mostly violated. We believe that together we can achieve
that goal in Europe. We view the EU as a platform to discuss our
differences peacefully and democratically and to find solutions with
each other, which will allow each of the self-determination seeking
nations to achieve the desired degree of self-determination. Your
situation is different. You have a line of contact withAzerbaijan,
which a military contact-line. I think you need to have the second,
wider line of contact, not geographical, but ideological. For example,
you should have active contacts with Europe in order that you can
bring your signals to them and they can understand what you want. You
should establish these contacts to be able to solve your issue.
– Mr. Tommy, let’s take into account that the European Union has
political interests in the South Caucasus; therefore, to think that
such interactions can result in a fair settlement of the Karabakh
conflict would not be real, especially that in our case the matter
is not any degree of autonomy, but the recognition of an independent
state.
– In 1988, when everything was gloomy, people believed here that
they can become independent or part of Armenia. But, in the then
situation it was hard to imagine all this.
You overcame a lot of difficulties in the way of achieving independence
– you defended your right to self-determination under the danger
of annihilation. When we compare ourselves to you, we come to the
conclusion that our struggle is really a minor thing, because we’re
not in a danger of annihilation. Let’s imagine Europe 40 years
ago, especially its foreign policy. Today, we have sufficiently
moved forward, reaching higher degree of foreign policy, which, of
course, is still far from being perfect. However, we are faithful
and optimistic. Some time later, we will have new achievements. I
want to note that you had a dream, but now you have a mission.
– During the 4th Congress of the Artsakh Democratic Party, you
informed the participants about the programs and goals of the European
Free Alliance, using video materials. There was also a poster in
the hall entitled
It also reflected the scheme of New Europe. Is it the European Free
Alliance’s vision of Europe?
– We not only dream about new Europe, but also take steps promising
positive changes. Our vision of Europe is not limited to the EU 28
member-states; we have dozens of languages and cultures, which are
not represented in the Union. I speak a language, which is a minority
language – I am an Aragon by origin.
There are a variety of issues – culture, customs, etc., about of
which many people are not even aware. This thinking represents a new
level – it comes from the people who get up every morning and go to
work, intending to make better and perfect Europe, which is much more
diverse and interesting and more capable than the “28-member” Europe,
about which we speak every day. We want to achieve a kind of Europe
that will work for peoples and nations.
– There are different commentaries on the last, May elections of
the European Parliament, in particular, the idea is emphasized that
radicalism is increasing with years in this structure. What trends
of development do you see?
– We met with factions representing the Artsakh Parties, and I
noted that today’s European Parliament had actually become much
more unpredictable. Why did this happen? The reason is that the
last elections were not elections to national Parliaments. Many
were skeptical about the elections and did not participate in them
properly. That’s why the Parties that were more demagoguery about
the future of Europe occupied more places, as the passivity of
Europeans allowed that the people with this kind of thinking occupy
the free area. The European People’s Party has lost its authority to
some extent, but the sequence seems to be preserved – the European
People’s Party, the Social Democrats, etc. The fact is that the votes
lost by the leading Parties were taken by the left-wing Parties and
those skeptical about Europe, which have much more radical approach
to the key issues. I would like to express an important idea in this
regard – in general, weakening of the social dimension is observed,
due to the current economic situation in Europe. That’s why we got what
we got. But, people with our thinking try to explain the situation in
the following way – let’s remember our past, particularly the year of
1929, when Europe was in the economic crisis, when the Nazis came,
and the national-socialism began to rise, bringing calamity to the
humanity. Our task is to prevent the repetition of all this in order
that it cannot bring Europe to ruin.
– How do you imagine the future of the European self-determining
peoples?
– In fact, we have always been supporters of reforms. They should
be made in the declarations, agreements, and other documents adopted
by the European Parliament, which will enable all the peoples and
ethnic minorities having the right to self-determination to deliver
their voices directly to the European Union. The EU should have a
common executive body. The European Parliament should be elected
directly by the people, and besides, it should weaken the power of
national governments in order that they do not have great authority
in the decision-making process. Instead, according to our vision,
the role and authority of self-determining peoples should be increased.
Ruzan ISHKHANIAN
http://artsakhtert.com/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1507:-lthe-role-and-authority-of-self-determining-peoples-should-be-increased-at-the-european-parliamentr&catid=5:politics&Itemid=17