EU ADJUSTS POLICY REGARDING SOUTH CAUCASUS

PanARMENIAN.Net - On January 27 in Brussels the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs will examine and vote on a proposed report detailing the "EU Policy towards the South Caucasus." As reported by the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) the report presented by the Swedish MEP, Per Gahrton (Greens) reviews the situation in the South Caucasus and makes recommendations to the European Council. At that more than 100 amendments have been proposed by the Committee members, including those of Mr. Gahrton himself, seeking to define a balanced policy toward the region. In its draft form, the 2004 report asks for the inclusion of the South Caucasus countries in the Commission's "Wider Europe - New Neighborhood" initiative. It also calls for the establishment of a Stability Pact in the South Caucasus, similar to the one that exists for the Balkans. Regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the draft report claims to advance "concrete solutions that respect the principle of territorial integrity, as well as the right of autonomy for minorities." To that end, the EAFJD recommends the return of "Azeri internally displaced persons to the occupied territories as a first step towards a final settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict." As thereupon stated by Laurent Leylekian, Executive Director of the European Armenian Federation, " Mr. Gahrton performs a narrow reading of international law, mistaking peoples' right to self-determination with minority autonomy rights." The draft report makes no mention of the ongoing Azeri and Turkish blockades of Armenia. However, several proposed amendments condemn the blockade both for obstructing European aid to the Caucasus. One amendment introduced by Mr. Gahrton cites "the gradual reopening of the border with Armenia" as a precondition for Turkey's candidacy to the EU. The draft report is equally silent on the Armenian Genocide. However, three amendments were proposed citing Turkey's recognition of the Genocide as a pre-condition to its participation in an eventual regional Stability Pact. An amendment introduced by Mr. Oostlander, author of the EP's report on Turkey, urges Ankara "to normalize its relations with Armenia." Finally, an amendment from Mr. Gahrton "expresses concern about the human rights situation and media freedom in Azerbaijan." After its adoption by the Committee of Foreign Affairs, the report will be submitted to the plenary session of the European Parliament in the coming weeks.