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APA, Azerbaijan
March 3 2012
The European Azerbaijan Society concerned that EU applies double
standards towards South Caucasus conflict resolution
[ 03 Mar 2012 13:41 ]
Baku - APA. The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS) responded to the
Council of the European Union's conclusions on the South Caucasus
(3149th Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Brussels, 27 February 2012).
TEAS told APA that on 27 February 2012, the Council of the EU adopted
25 conclusions that represent an updated framework for the future EU
relationship with the three countries in the South Caucasus region.
The EU explicitly welcomes the significant progress made by Azerbaijan
with regard to the framework of the Eastern Partnership, and the
intensified cooperation and importance on energy issues. The EU also
reiterates its ambition to support the peaceful settlement of
conflicts in the region, yet unfortunately chooses to underline the
principle of territorial integrity only with regard to Georgia. At no
point is Armenia reminded of its obligation to abide by four
unimplemented UN Security Council resolutions (822, 853, 874, 884)
instructing Armenian forces to leave all the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan.
While TEAS welcomes the Council's attention to the `principles of
international law', to fully respect the principles of `sovereignty
and territorial integrity' within `internationally recognised
borders', (points 9, 18, 22) the Council must be equitable in its
support for the territorial integrity of both Georgia and Azerbaijan.
These principles have to apply to the whole region of the South
Caucasus, and not only to one particular country. This is the only way
to create and entrench sustainable stabilisation and conflict
resolution.
Furthermore, while the Council is acting appropriately in reiterating
its commitment to helping to improve the situation of the Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Georgia (around 128,000, according to
Amnesty International), around 875,000 Azerbaijani IDPs and refugees
remain displaced as a result of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Both
international law and simple moral imperative dictate that they must
also be allowed to return to their homes. TEAS calls upon the Council
to reflect this in future conclusions.
TEAS is also concerned at the EU's stated intention to pursue a policy
of `unconditional access for representatives of the EU to
Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions' (point 25). Any visit to
Nagorno-Karabakh and the occupied adjacent Azerbaijani territories
should be made via Azerbaijan across the line of contact. EU
engagement in the peace process is to be welcomed, but normal
protocols must be observed and entry to the occupied territories must
be achieved through appropriate channels.
TEAS welcomes the fact that the Council:
- Emphasises the Azerbaijani progress made in the Association
Agreement process;
- Expresses its commitment to upgrading the trade and investment
provisions of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with
Azerbaijan, and its future WTO and FTA membership with the EU;
- Underlines the intensified co-operation with Azerbaijan in the
energy sector and explicitly declares that clear progress has been
made in this field by Azerbaijan regarding the Southern Corridor.
- Supports the Azerbaijani reform and modernisation efforts and
recognises the fact that Azerbaijan has progressed rapidly in
diversifying its economy (in particular with regard to e-governance)
and in increasing the transparency of public administration.
March 3 2012
The European Azerbaijan Society concerned that EU applies double
standards towards South Caucasus conflict resolution
[ 03 Mar 2012 13:41 ]
Baku - APA. The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS) responded to the
Council of the European Union's conclusions on the South Caucasus
(3149th Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Brussels, 27 February 2012).
TEAS told APA that on 27 February 2012, the Council of the EU adopted
25 conclusions that represent an updated framework for the future EU
relationship with the three countries in the South Caucasus region.
The EU explicitly welcomes the significant progress made by Azerbaijan
with regard to the framework of the Eastern Partnership, and the
intensified cooperation and importance on energy issues. The EU also
reiterates its ambition to support the peaceful settlement of
conflicts in the region, yet unfortunately chooses to underline the
principle of territorial integrity only with regard to Georgia. At no
point is Armenia reminded of its obligation to abide by four
unimplemented UN Security Council resolutions (822, 853, 874, 884)
instructing Armenian forces to leave all the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan.
While TEAS welcomes the Council's attention to the `principles of
international law', to fully respect the principles of `sovereignty
and territorial integrity' within `internationally recognised
borders', (points 9, 18, 22) the Council must be equitable in its
support for the territorial integrity of both Georgia and Azerbaijan.
These principles have to apply to the whole region of the South
Caucasus, and not only to one particular country. This is the only way
to create and entrench sustainable stabilisation and conflict
resolution.
Furthermore, while the Council is acting appropriately in reiterating
its commitment to helping to improve the situation of the Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Georgia (around 128,000, according to
Amnesty International), around 875,000 Azerbaijani IDPs and refugees
remain displaced as a result of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Both
international law and simple moral imperative dictate that they must
also be allowed to return to their homes. TEAS calls upon the Council
to reflect this in future conclusions.
TEAS is also concerned at the EU's stated intention to pursue a policy
of `unconditional access for representatives of the EU to
Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions' (point 25). Any visit to
Nagorno-Karabakh and the occupied adjacent Azerbaijani territories
should be made via Azerbaijan across the line of contact. EU
engagement in the peace process is to be welcomed, but normal
protocols must be observed and entry to the occupied territories must
be achieved through appropriate channels.
TEAS welcomes the fact that the Council:
- Emphasises the Azerbaijani progress made in the Association
Agreement process;
- Expresses its commitment to upgrading the trade and investment
provisions of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with
Azerbaijan, and its future WTO and FTA membership with the EU;
- Underlines the intensified co-operation with Azerbaijan in the
energy sector and explicitly declares that clear progress has been
made in this field by Azerbaijan regarding the Southern Corridor.
- Supports the Azerbaijani reform and modernisation efforts and
recognises the fact that Azerbaijan has progressed rapidly in
diversifying its economy (in particular with regard to e-governance)
and in increasing the transparency of public administration.