Committee of European Parliament holds special seminar on security around Nagorno-Karabakh

• Thursday, June 21, 18:47

 The EU should look for higher profile in seeking for Nagorno-Karabakh conflict solution, including confidence building measures, said deputies during the special seminar devoted to the frozen conflict organized by Arnaud Danjean, the chair of subcommittee on Security and Defence.

Many participants pointed out the expertise the EU can offer taking into the consideration the experience in ex-Yugoslavia and mediation during Georgia-Russian war. "There is still a risk of medium term outbreak of violence", - said Philippe Lefort, the EU Special representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia. He mentioned period of activities of different members of the Minsk group: France intense work during times of president Chirac, and
Russian efforts at times of president Medvedev. However he pointed out that is difficult to follow the developments because of the high sensitivity of the issue they are largely kept secret: "They are not commercial talks, they are very charged with emotions" - Even the  Madrid Principles (from 2007 under auspices of the OSCE) are not entirely public, the latter version of it shared with public by Azerbaijani's contain description of possible step-by-step
demilitarization and withdrawal of Armenian forces from territories around Nagorno-Karabakh. The next movement supposes the return of refugees and displaced persons. No time-table mentioned, just announced conceptually without detail: "in a year, ten years, 100 years - no indication",- concluded Lefort. The status of Nagorno-Karabakh is described in completely vague terms, just requiring the definition of it within democratic proceeding of international law. The EU Euronest policy didn't deliver as expected till now in building bridges between opponents, as mentioned by the MEPs. "One can expect more involvement of the EU because the conflict at our door-step can put at serious risk our security in many ways, including the flow of refugees, who are inevitable in case of the conflict", - said MEP Charles Tannock. As positive example of encouraging the change the resolution of 18.04.2012 was mentioned,
stating that the endorsement of the Association Agreement should be connected to the steps in the conflict resolution.