Evgeni Kirilov: Europe should do more to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute

PanARMENIAN.Net - Europe's relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia were debated at European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday 20 May.

Bulgarian Socialist MEP Evgeni Kirilov who has drafted a report on the issue and Czech MEP Milan Cabrnoch who heads Parliament's delegation for relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia expressed their views on the issue. Mr Kirilov stated that "sometimes we tend to forget that South Caucasus is in Europe". He went on to say that "once the security improves the conditions for development of these three countries will generally be much better, but also conditions for progress towards a European integration would exist".

He sees this as requisite for the opening of negotiations on an Association Agreement covering trade between the EU and these countries.

On whether the three countries could ever be in the European Union Milan Cabrnoch stated that "it depends on how we look at the European Union. If we look at the EU as a voluntary and mutually beneficial union of countries which have a common interest in the free flow of capital, goods, services and persons... I believe that nothing should prevent these countries to become one day members of such a community based on these four freedoms - if they fulfil the criteria". Mr Kirilov said that the EU "hasn't been active enough so far" and "it should contribute to much bigger presence of the EU in the region". He noted that the eruption of the Russia - Georgia conflict had made it imperative for the EU to involve itself more actively in the region. He also believes Europe should do more to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Apart from conflict resolution, Milan Cabrnoch underlined the importance of "energy security, support to democracy, the safeguarding of human rights and freedom of media", official website of European Parliament reported.