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EU SHOULD 'USES ITS MECHANISMS' TO RESOLVE KARABAKH CONFLICT
news.az
Sept 27 2011
Azerbaijan
News.Az interviews political scientist Hakkı Keskin, a Left Party
member of the German parliament from 2005 to 2009.
Do the European countries put enough effort into solving conflicts
in the post-Soviet area, including Karabakh?
Unfortunately, on the Karabakh conflict, the Council of Europe does not
demonstrate the kind of clear position it had in the Georgian-Russian
war. This is wrong. For example, during the Georgian-Russian war in
2008, the German parliament agreed on the need for the government
of Germany to involve the EU in the negotiating process to solve the
problem. The EU should do the same on Karabakh.
No European country can accept the injustice facing Azerbaijan,
the fact of the occupation of 20% of its land and the existence of
over a million refugees and internally displaced persons. Therefore,
the EU should use its mechanisms to solve this problem.
How is it possible to involve European countries in the Karabakh
conflict settlement?
In order to involve the EU in the solution of the Karabakh conflict it
is necessary to attract a number of politicians to this process. For
example, this may include politicians who enjoy a good reputation
in the EU. With regard to Germany, Angela Merkel, who is sensitive
to conflicts, could be such a politician, especially since relations
between Azerbaijan and Germany have a long history, so Germany could
contribute to the process of conflict resolution.
Unfortunately, since Armenia is a Christian country, the EU does
not demonstrate a firm stance against that country. The EU shows a
different standard when approaching the same problems. For example,
if it was Azerbaijan that occupied Armenian land, the EU would
act decisively, would be active. But anyway, it is necessary to
involve the EU in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Armenia
must withdraw its troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan
without any prerequisites.
Should Azerbaijan use the Nabucco and Trans-Caspian gas pipeline
projects to attract EU attention to the Karabakh conflict settlement?
Absolutely. The EU is heavily dependent on Russia for energy. For
example, Germany and the Nordic countries of Europe meet most of their
needs for oil and gas from Russia. These countries are, therefore, very
concerned about their dependence on Russian energy sources, and intend
to change this situation. Therefore, these countries attach great
importance to the Nabucco and Trans-Caspian gas pipeline projects.
In other words, the Nabucco project and the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline
are likely to attract EU attention to the Karabakh settlement. It is
necessary to bring to the attention of the EU the fact that Azerbaijan
is an important country in ensuring Europe's energy security but is
facing the problem of land occupation.
However, it is necessary to ensure that the EU mobilizes its potential
to influence Russia on the settlement of the Karabakh problem. It is
necessary to ensure that Russia stops providing support to Armenia and
explains to Armenia the need to liberate the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan. EU countries can influence Russia in this matter because
Russia has a need for closer relations with the EU.
To what extent are the Turkish-Armenian protocols linked to the
Karabakh conflict settlement?
The current government of Turkey, namely the ruling Justice
and Development Party, conducted a mistaken policy because the
protocols did not fix the points concerning the liberation of the
Armenian-occupied territories of Azerbaijan. The US insisted on
the opening the Turkish-Armenian border. This was prevented by
Turkish public opinion - 98% spoke against the opening of the
Turkish-Armenian border before the liberation of the occupied
territories of Azerbaijan. After that, the party was forced to
abandon its policy, and the Turkish-Armenian protocols were thrown
into the dustbin. But my fear has to do with the policies of Turkey,
which is largely tied to the wishes of the United States. But I hope
that the Turkish government has learned a lesson from this mistake,
and is vigilant to prevent a similar mistake happening again.
news.az
Sept 27 2011
Azerbaijan
News.Az interviews political scientist Hakkı Keskin, a Left Party
member of the German parliament from 2005 to 2009.
Do the European countries put enough effort into solving conflicts
in the post-Soviet area, including Karabakh?
Unfortunately, on the Karabakh conflict, the Council of Europe does not
demonstrate the kind of clear position it had in the Georgian-Russian
war. This is wrong. For example, during the Georgian-Russian war in
2008, the German parliament agreed on the need for the government
of Germany to involve the EU in the negotiating process to solve the
problem. The EU should do the same on Karabakh.
No European country can accept the injustice facing Azerbaijan,
the fact of the occupation of 20% of its land and the existence of
over a million refugees and internally displaced persons. Therefore,
the EU should use its mechanisms to solve this problem.
How is it possible to involve European countries in the Karabakh
conflict settlement?
In order to involve the EU in the solution of the Karabakh conflict it
is necessary to attract a number of politicians to this process. For
example, this may include politicians who enjoy a good reputation
in the EU. With regard to Germany, Angela Merkel, who is sensitive
to conflicts, could be such a politician, especially since relations
between Azerbaijan and Germany have a long history, so Germany could
contribute to the process of conflict resolution.
Unfortunately, since Armenia is a Christian country, the EU does
not demonstrate a firm stance against that country. The EU shows a
different standard when approaching the same problems. For example,
if it was Azerbaijan that occupied Armenian land, the EU would
act decisively, would be active. But anyway, it is necessary to
involve the EU in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Armenia
must withdraw its troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan
without any prerequisites.
Should Azerbaijan use the Nabucco and Trans-Caspian gas pipeline
projects to attract EU attention to the Karabakh conflict settlement?
Absolutely. The EU is heavily dependent on Russia for energy. For
example, Germany and the Nordic countries of Europe meet most of their
needs for oil and gas from Russia. These countries are, therefore, very
concerned about their dependence on Russian energy sources, and intend
to change this situation. Therefore, these countries attach great
importance to the Nabucco and Trans-Caspian gas pipeline projects.
In other words, the Nabucco project and the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline
are likely to attract EU attention to the Karabakh settlement. It is
necessary to bring to the attention of the EU the fact that Azerbaijan
is an important country in ensuring Europe's energy security but is
facing the problem of land occupation.
However, it is necessary to ensure that the EU mobilizes its potential
to influence Russia on the settlement of the Karabakh problem. It is
necessary to ensure that Russia stops providing support to Armenia and
explains to Armenia the need to liberate the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan. EU countries can influence Russia in this matter because
Russia has a need for closer relations with the EU.
To what extent are the Turkish-Armenian protocols linked to the
Karabakh conflict settlement?
The current government of Turkey, namely the ruling Justice
and Development Party, conducted a mistaken policy because the
protocols did not fix the points concerning the liberation of the
Armenian-occupied territories of Azerbaijan. The US insisted on
the opening the Turkish-Armenian border. This was prevented by
Turkish public opinion - 98% spoke against the opening of the
Turkish-Armenian border before the liberation of the occupied
territories of Azerbaijan. After that, the party was forced to
abandon its policy, and the Turkish-Armenian protocols were thrown
into the dustbin. But my fear has to do with the policies of Turkey,
which is largely tied to the wishes of the United States. But I hope
that the Turkish government has learned a lesson from this mistake,
and is vigilant to prevent a similar mistake happening again.