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AZERI MILITARY BUDGET EXCEEDS ARMENIA'S GDP, SAYS CO-CHAIRMAN
asbarez
Thursday, June 16th, 2011
The European Parliament
BRUSSELS-In line with the increased involvement in the neighboring
countries, and the attention paid to the frozen conflicts in the
Eastern region, the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign
Affairs held a meeting on Wednesday June 15, with the OSCE Minsk
Group co-chairs Ambassadors Robert Bradtke (USA) and Bernard Fassier
(France) on recent developments in the negotiations process and on
the current situation in Nagorno Karabakh.
The Russian representative, Ambassador Igor Popov, did not attend
the meeting due to the preparations for the Kazan meeting between the
Armenian and Azeri presidents, Serzh Sarkisian and Ilham Aliyev. The
negotiations have gathered a momentum, and it is likely that the
upcoming meeting in Kazan (Russia) on June 25, will lead to a
breakthrough, stressed Bradtke and Fassier.
Each of the presidents explained the results they reached during the
past 5 years, and focused on their respective country's involvement
in the negotiation process. They both underlined that the OSCE
Minsk Group is the best format to reach an agreement because of the
efficiency, flexibility, taking quick and tough decisions and keeping
the confidentiality.
Ambassador Bradtke stressed that the EU Eastern Partnership is of
great importance for the United States and for the long-lasting peace
in the Caucasus. They invite the European Union to play a decisive
role in consolidating peace by preparing the civil societies in
both countries, promoting democracy and using all its policies as
leverages. They also think that the EU has a role to play in demining,
reconstructing, and peace keeping.
Facing the harsh criticism by several MEPs regarding the status quo,
Russia's interest in the region, and the course of the arms race, Mr
Fassier confirmed the decisive role of Russia, emphasizing that it
is not the only country supplying arms to the region. He mentioned
that Azerbaijan will buy drones (pilotless spying airplanes); that
every year the Azerbaijani military budget is growing by 20 to 30%,
and compared to last year it has increased by 100%, exceeding the
Republic of Armenia's entire GDP.
The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy reiterates
its call on to the OSCE to demand solid, non-aggression guarantees
from the Azeri state prior to any further discussions relating to the
Minsk Group agenda. Furthermore, the Federation considers that the
future negotiating process must include the Nagorno Karabakh Republic,
as a full-fledged party to the negotiations. The Azerbaijani security
threats are first directed to the people of Nagorno Karabakh, who must
have their independent say in the process and future determination
of their state.
asbarez
Thursday, June 16th, 2011
The European Parliament
BRUSSELS-In line with the increased involvement in the neighboring
countries, and the attention paid to the frozen conflicts in the
Eastern region, the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign
Affairs held a meeting on Wednesday June 15, with the OSCE Minsk
Group co-chairs Ambassadors Robert Bradtke (USA) and Bernard Fassier
(France) on recent developments in the negotiations process and on
the current situation in Nagorno Karabakh.
The Russian representative, Ambassador Igor Popov, did not attend
the meeting due to the preparations for the Kazan meeting between the
Armenian and Azeri presidents, Serzh Sarkisian and Ilham Aliyev. The
negotiations have gathered a momentum, and it is likely that the
upcoming meeting in Kazan (Russia) on June 25, will lead to a
breakthrough, stressed Bradtke and Fassier.
Each of the presidents explained the results they reached during the
past 5 years, and focused on their respective country's involvement
in the negotiation process. They both underlined that the OSCE
Minsk Group is the best format to reach an agreement because of the
efficiency, flexibility, taking quick and tough decisions and keeping
the confidentiality.
Ambassador Bradtke stressed that the EU Eastern Partnership is of
great importance for the United States and for the long-lasting peace
in the Caucasus. They invite the European Union to play a decisive
role in consolidating peace by preparing the civil societies in
both countries, promoting democracy and using all its policies as
leverages. They also think that the EU has a role to play in demining,
reconstructing, and peace keeping.
Facing the harsh criticism by several MEPs regarding the status quo,
Russia's interest in the region, and the course of the arms race, Mr
Fassier confirmed the decisive role of Russia, emphasizing that it
is not the only country supplying arms to the region. He mentioned
that Azerbaijan will buy drones (pilotless spying airplanes); that
every year the Azerbaijani military budget is growing by 20 to 30%,
and compared to last year it has increased by 100%, exceeding the
Republic of Armenia's entire GDP.
The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy reiterates
its call on to the OSCE to demand solid, non-aggression guarantees
from the Azeri state prior to any further discussions relating to the
Minsk Group agenda. Furthermore, the Federation considers that the
future negotiating process must include the Nagorno Karabakh Republic,
as a full-fledged party to the negotiations. The Azerbaijani security
threats are first directed to the people of Nagorno Karabakh, who must
have their independent say in the process and future determination
of their state.