EP resolution on Karabakh goes contrary to EU principles

PanARMENIAN.Net - 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."