Karabakh has every possibility to establish ties with EU, French expert says

PanARMENIAN.Net - Karabakh authorities have every possibility to establish ties with the EU. The opening of Karabakh’s diplomatic representations in Brussels and Paris will further contribute to the intention, a French expert at Strategic Studies Foundation, analyst Gaits Minasian said in an interview to Armenian reporters.

On April 7, European Parliament adopted a resolution on the review of the European Neighbourhood Policy, specifying main programs implemented in eastern dimension.

In the 47th clause of the review, the European Parliament notes the EU’s stronger engagement in security issues in the Eastern Neighborhood with the establishment of the EUBAM in Moldova and the EUMM in Georgia; calls on the VP/HR and the EEAS to step up their involvement in finding a solution to the protracted conflicts in Transnistria and the South Caucasus based on the principles of international law – in particular non-use of force, self-determination and territorial integrity – through more active policy stances, more active participation and a more prominent role in permanent and ad hoc conflict resolution structures, including already existing negotiating formats, particularly those of the OSCE.

In 48th clause, the EP urges to develop more confidence-building measures and programmes, including the launching of new missions and public communication strategies and the consideration of pragmatic initiatives and innovative approaches such as informal contacts and consultations with the societies and de facto authorities of the breakaway territories, while conserving the EU’s non-recognition policy, in order to support civic culture and community dialogue.

As the French expert noted, the EU will not allow for the breakaway territories to uphold contacts with specific states, as in Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria with Russia, Karabakh with Armenia. “The more connections are established with the breakaway territories, the lower is the possibility of new wars,” the expert said.