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BAKU: EU: Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Limits Regional Development

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  • BAKU: EU: Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Limits Regional Development

    EU: NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT LIMITS REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

    Trend
    June 1 2012
    Azerbaijan

    The courage and decisiveness of the political leaders of the
    conflicting parties are required to achieve progress in the
    Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, EU Special Representative for
    the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, Ambassador Philippe
    Lefort said at a meeting with the teaching staff of the European
    Studies Center at Yerevan State University, Armenia Today reported.

    Stressing that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict significantly limits the
    development and integration of the region, Lefort expressed confidence
    that there are no insoluble conflicts, regardless of their degree
    of complexity.

    In his view, the Madrid principles are a tool of resolving the
    Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. EU is willing to contribute to their
    implementation.

    He also stressed the importance of a public dialogue, adding that
    the EU is ready to assist in this issue through the programs.

    Lefort added that changing the format of OSCE Minsk Group on
    Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can bring the entire negotiation process
    to nothing.

    "EU role in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is being discussed
    in EU," he said. "The issue of changing France was discussed at the
    EU, but it is impossible to replace France for several reasons."

    Lefort said that the deaths of people as a result of snipers' shots
    are a tragedy.

    He added that the EU is trying to help improve the situation taking
    into account the negotiations in Georgia. He recalled that at present,
    Ireland, having experience in resolving a difficult conflict, presides
    in OSCE.

    "But the main thing is that the parties must realize that this
    situation can not be continued," he said. "It is impossible to live
    in constant threat of renewed war."

    The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
    when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
    armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
    including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

    Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.

    The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France and the US -
    are currently holding peace negotiations.

    Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four
    resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
    surrounding regions.

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