EU: conflicts in South Caucasus jeopardize European security

PanARMENIAN.Net - During discussions of the European Neighborhood Policy report at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 14 November, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy, stated that the Neighborhood Policy is an EU major policy and its successes play a decisive role in ensuring security, stability and prosperity to EU countries and their neighbors. So, this policy should be more influential and confident, and ensure the security of all countries, she noted.



Waldner also stressed the importance of applying this policy in different sectors. The European Neighborhood Policy attaches great importance to economic integration, movement of citizens and energy policy in relation to partners. She also noted that the European Parliament could play a considerable role in the spheres important to the EU, such as political cooperation, human rights and building of the state on the rule of law.



EU Commissioner informed of the plans to establish an Investment Fund of the EU Neighborhood Policy. The Fund will contribute in the implementation of major projects in the energy and transport sectors. At the same time she noted the importance of simplifying the visa regime between these countries with respect to consolidating relations among them.



Waldner stressed the significance of the relevance of political parameters of partner countries under the European Neighborhood Policy and touching upon the neighborhood of countries, located in the east of the EU, she noted the importance of attaching special importance to the resolution of 'lingering conflicts' existing in their territory. "The conflicts put obstacles for our partners in conduct of reforms and sometimes pose threats for our security. Therefore, the Neighborhood Policy should play a positive role in the establishment of an adequate atmosphere in the resolution of 'lingering conflicts', in the South Caucasus," she said.



She said that to achieve more efficient results in 2008 the EU will develop an action plan. "In April 2008 we will present a report on every country. The reports will analyze the work and the improvement of the situation with the implementation of an action plan of partner countries," she stressed, Trend reports.