Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

BAKU: Javier Solana: "There Is No Military Solution To The Nagorno-K

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • BAKU: Javier Solana: "There Is No Military Solution To The Nagorno-K

    JAVIER SOLANA: "THERE IS NO MILITARY SOLUTION TO THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT. AFTER THE GEORGIA CRISIS, THIS SHOULD BE CLEAR TO ALL..."

    Today.Az
    http://www.today.az/news/po litics/50433.html
    Feb 2 2009
    Azerbaijan

    Day.Az interview with EU senior representative on issues of general
    external policy and security policy Javier Solana.

    - Mr.Solana, how do you assess the political situation in Azerbaijan
    today, especially the state of democracy and provision of freedom of
    expression and pluralism in Azerbaijan?

    - I think both Azerbaijan and the European Union want to develop closer
    relations, and this on many fronts, from political and economic
    to co-operation on regional security. As regards the situation
    in Azerbaijan today, we support the reform agenda announced by
    President Aliev in October, which focuses on democratisation and
    civic participation, and we of course are ready to help with its
    implementation. These and many other issues, like for instance the
    media situation, are part of the European Neighbourhood Action Plan
    which we have agreed with Azerbaijan and which we will continue to
    implement together.

    - You have called on the Azerbaijani government to review decision to
    halt transmission of Liberty, Voice of America and BBC radio stations
    on the local frequencies. Can the EU put pressure on the Azerbaijani
    government in this issue and which solution is more favourable in
    this case?

    - We regretted the decision not to renew the broadcasting licences,
    because it deprives listeners of a valuable alternative source of
    news and information. We think there is still room to review this
    decision and that a solution can be found. I think this would be in
    everyone's interest

    - What can you say about the overall situation in the South Caucasus
    region? To what extent is it stable, considering the five-day war in
    Georgia, Russia's position in this issue and its possible projection
    on the situation around Nagorno Karabakh in case hostilities are
    resumed between Azerbaijan and Armenia?

    - I think the crisis in Georgia has been a wake-up call for the entire
    South Caucasus region. It has shown that unresolved conflicts can
    be very dangerous even after many years, and that military action is
    not a solution. It has also shown how the countries in the region are
    interdependent and vulnerable, and that there is need to fundamentally
    change the dynamic in the region.

    After the EU's rapid response to the August crisis and our strong
    engagement on the ground in Georgia, there should be no doubt about
    the importance we attach to the South Caucasus region. The proposal
    for an "Eastern Partnership" is further evidence of this.

    We want to work closely with the countries in the region, as well
    as with Russia, Turkey and the US. Maintaining good relations and
    constructive dialogue with all countries in the region seems to us as
    the best way towards stability, security and progress. Let me stress
    here the important role of Turkey and how encouraged we are by the
    recent steps to improve relations between Turkey and Armenia.

    - Is the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict one of the
    main tasks of the European Union? Which diplomatic assistance can
    EU provide to Azerbaijan considering the fact that Russia, being
    a peacekeeper on the one hand, supplies Armenia with armament of
    a total of $800,000,000 free of charge thus violating the military
    balance between the conflict parties?

    - There is no military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. After
    the Georgia crisis, this should be clear to all. In this spirit, we
    warmly welcomed that the Presidents of both Azerbaijan and Armenia
    committed themselves in Moscow last year to a peaceful settlement of
    the conflict. This new dynamic should be maintained with concrete
    actions and determination. The EU fully supports the OSCE Minsk
    Group efforts and remains ready to assist through confidence-building
    measures and people-to-people contacts. My representative Peter Semneby
    is working hard in this direction and he has my full support. We are
    confident that a viable, negotiated settlement to this conflict will
    contribute greatly to the region's stability, security and progress.
Working...
X