  UK deputy PM: EU wants to help Karabakh conflict resolution  September 30, 2011 - 15:12 AMTPanARMENIAN.Net - The Eastern Partnership will seek to build regional cooperation, UK Deputy Prime Minister said. Addressing the EaP Summit in Warsaw, Mr. Nick Clegg said at that the EU want to help resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict “Europe is clearly embarking on a period of change. The danger we face, which I will address today, is of change leading to fragmentation - that we become divided, turning away from each other, both within the European Union, and with our partners who are not, or not yet, members of it. As I will explain, that would be a disaster,” he said. Mr. Clegg went on to say: “I would like to pay tribute to the Polish Presidency for spear-heading this agenda, encouraging the EU to extend the hand of friendship to these countries in a way we never really have before. Not least through Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas, much more than simple tariff liberalization, but bringing countries’ commercial laws and regulations in line with EU standards, in effect integrating these countries into the Single Market.” “Of course, it would be totally wrong to lower the bar for membership. But we can help nations straining to reach it, using integration to support reform. That’s what the EU’s reworked Neighborhood Policy should do. Previously, billions of Euros were sent across our Southern and Eastern borders to aid political and economic reform. But it did not achieve enough,” he said. “That money will now be properly targeted, specially tailored, country by country. And, where we do not see real progress, support and access will be withdrawn. As a result of the Single Market, EU nations trade with each other around twice as much as they would do otherwise. Imagine the prosperity we could deliver if we took it to the next stage. It’s also how we make ourselves more competitive. These distinctions are not the problem - the problem is if the economic crisis deepens the fault lines between our nations, if it tears us apart.”   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Topic Latest news Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24  U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan.Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says.Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |
