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ANKARA: EU Welcomes Moscow, Helsinki Declarations On Nagorno-Karabak

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  • ANKARA: EU Welcomes Moscow, Helsinki Declarations On Nagorno-Karabak

    EU WELCOMES MOSCOW, HELSINKI DECLARATIONS ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH

    Hurriyet
    Dec 25 2008
    Turkey

    The European Union has welcomed the Nov.2 Moscow declaration and the
    Dec.4 Helsinki declaration on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, EU foreign
    policy chief Javier Solana told an Azeri news agency on Thursday.

    It has become even clearer that a military solution to the
    Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not an option after the Russia-Georgia
    conflict in August, Solana told the Trend News Agency.

    "In this spirit, we welcomed the Moscow declaration of 2 November and
    the declaration of Helsinki of 4 December, as they confirmed that all
    sides sign up to the need for a peaceful solution. We fully support
    the Minsk Group and we ready to help in any way we can, for instance
    through confidence-building measures and people-to-people contacts,"
    he said.

    The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia began in 1988 on Armenian
    territorial claims over Azerbaijan. Since 1992 Armenian Armed Forces
    have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan including the Nagorno-Karabakh
    region and its seven surrounding districts.

    Some 10 percent of the Azeri population was displaced due to a
    series of bloody clashes both between and within the two neighboring
    countries.

    In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which
    time the active hostilities ended. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk
    Group are currently holding peaceful negotiations.

    The conflict in Georgia has demonstrated the vulnerability of the
    region as well as the complexity of the conflicts and the high risks
    related to them, he added.

    Regional cooperation and constructive dialogue are hence more essential
    than ever for the region's stability, prosperity and progress, he said.

    "In this context, we welcomed the recent signs of rapprochement
    between Armenia and Turkey as a basis for the normalization of
    bilateral relations. We strongly encourage both parties to continue
    this path and pursue constructive dialogue", Solana said.

    Progress in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will also
    facilitate the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and
    Armenia, he said adding there is now a momentum that should not
    be lost.

    "We actively encourage any form of regional cooperation and
    constructive dialogue leading to stronger ties between the countries
    in the region as the best way to create prosperity and stability
    for all. Don't forget that the European Union is itself a very good
    example of regional co-operation and of how conflicts can be overcome,"
    he added.

    Helsinki and Moscow declarations, signed by Armenian and Azerbaijani
    officials, called for a "peaceful resolution" to the countries'
    dispute over the province of Nagorno-Karabakh on the basis of "binding
    international guarantees", taking a step further towards resolution
    of the conflict.
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