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ANKARA: EU Urged To Play Greater Role In South Caucasus

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  • ANKARA: EU Urged To Play Greater Role In South Caucasus

    EU URGED TO PLAY GREATER ROLE IN SOUTH CAUCASUS

    Hurriyet Daily News
    April 9 2010
    Turkey

    The EU must develop a strategy to resolve conflicts and ensure
    stability in the South Caucasus, according to members of the European
    Parliament, or MEPs, in a draft resolution adopted by the Foreign
    Affairs Committee.

    According to the resolution, EU strategy in the South Caucasus
    should concentrate on solving conflicts and promoting democracy,
    cooperating on economic and social development issues, and resolving
    human rights issues.

    The region is central to the EU's energy interests as it contains
    the South Caucasus Pipeline, which transports gas from the Caspian
    to the Black Sea.

    The implementation of the Eastern Partnership, which covers the three
    South Caucasus republics, as well as the entry into the Lisbon Treaty,
    offers the EU a prime opportunity to conceive a comprehensive strategy
    for the region, according to a report on the resolution by Trend
    News Agency.

    The current conflict in the region is neither acceptable nor viable,
    the resolution stated, expressing concern over the recent increases
    in military spending. "Frozen conflicts" are obstacles to economic and
    social development, MEPs warned, referring to tensions between Russia
    and Georgia, the long-standing dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan
    over Nagorno-Karabakh; and the row between Turkey and Armenia.

    Finally, recognizing the importance of the region for the EU's energy
    security and supply, MEPs expressed their support of strengthening
    EU-South Caucasus cooperation in energy projects, in particular to
    successfully complete the Nabucco pipeline.
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