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KARABAKH IS KEEPING THE KEY TO ITS OWN FUTURE
http://artsakhtert.com/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=655:-karabakh-is-keeping-the-key-to-its-own-future&catid=5:politics&Itemid=17
Saturday, 05 May 2012 11:04
For the recent two years, as we know, the European Parliament has
periodically held discussions on the direct involvement of the
European Union in the process of the Karabakh conflict peaceful
settlement.
In their statements, senior EU officials constantly emphasize the
necessity of enhancing the role of this structure in the South
Caucasus.
In one of the resolutions adopted by the European Parliament's Foreign
Affairs Committee, it was noted that France should be replaced by the
European Union in the OSCE Minsk Group, which, however, was not
supported by European officials. On the contrary, they stated once
again that the negotiations on the Karabakh settlement must be
continued in the format of the Minsk Group, and the European Union,
obviously, must assist in this process and intensify its cooperation
with all the states of the South Caucasus region.
Though relative calm on the subject is established now, however, a
question occurs: what is the goal of such statements and why is the
issue periodically raised by the European Parliament members?
"It is clear that the European Union wants to play a greater role in
the region. It is also seeking new ways to engage in the process of
peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict. The current efforts of the
EU are aimed at promoting the peaceful solution to the issue, as well
as its encouragement. But, they are not aimed at replacing any state
in the Minsk Group. France will remain a co-chair of the Minsk Group',
said Director of the Armenian Center for Regional Studies Richard
Kirakosian.
When asked by the Azat Artsakh correspondent whether the EU can play
any role in the settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict, the
political scientist answered that the EU was facing a new opportunity
and the imperative of greater involvement in the processes in the
South Caucasus. He recalled the positive result of the European
intervention in the Georgian-Ossetian war. On the other hand,
according to R. Kirakosian, for greater involvement in the regional
processes and, consequently, for consolidation of its successful role,
the EU must overcome the seemingly contradictory nature of its own
strategy: each of the leading states of this structure tends to follow
its own national policy, in some cases differing from the policy of
other states. These differences are clearly seen in its relations with
Russia, particularly in the field of energy policy.
What does the political scientist think of the view that the decisive
role in resolving the Karabakh issue belongs to Russia and the United
States, which cannot be said about France? Is it possible that these
two great powers come to an agreement in the future to replace France
with the European Union? `The U.S. and Russia support France, although
Washington supports also the European Union, but there are no talks on
replacing France', said R. Kirakosian. `Nevertheless, the future of
the EU in the region depends on itself. Today, it faces a serious
challenge - to reconcile the competing national policies and to
elaborate a common policy of strategic involvement', he noted.
Then, Mr. Kirakosian noted that the European Union would implement its
plans for deeper involvement in the regional processes, since we
cannot continue to ignore or underestimate the task that has become
the imperative for this structure - specifically, to play a key role
in the South Caucasus, a region that is considered risky in terms of
establishing comprehensive security and stability. Consequently, he
said, it is clear that the leaders of the three states in the region -
Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, as well as Nagorno-Karabakh, which
hasn't achieved its legal recognition yet, will keep the key to their
future in their hands. And though overcoming the isolation of the
South Caucasus has become an imperative for the EU, however, in the
political scientist's opinion, the real stability and security are
conditioned by the legitimacy of the authorities in the regional
states, the level of local economic development, and the conducted
policy. Geopolitics, perhaps, plays a minor role in this plane.
Continuing his comments, R. Kirakosian noted that the EU would
intensify its involvement in the regional processes by supporting two
leaders of the Eastern Partnership program - Sweden and Poland.
The goal of this prestigious European structure is more than clear -
to expand its activities in the South Caucasus, in particular, to
intensify its efforts on the Karabakh conflict settlement.
What does the analyst think about the view exaggerated in the
international media that in the negotiation process on the Karabakh
settlement a certain role can be played by Turkey and Iran, which are
considered influential states in the Middle East region? According to
Mr. Kirakosian, the West in general, and in particular, the EU and the
OSCE are against any role of Turkey and Iran, and it is unlikely that
any of these countries will be involved in the process. Karabakh
became a touchstone for the EU in terms of commitments and
manifestation of determination, and in a broader sense it became also
the "last chance" for the OSCE Minsk Group and the European Union.
Ultimately, the Karabakh conflict is the only conflict in large
Europe, where the EU does not play any role.
Ruzan ISHKHANIAN
http://artsakhtert.com/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=655:-karabakh-is-keeping-the-key-to-its-own-future&catid=5:politics&Itemid=17
Saturday, 05 May 2012 11:04
For the recent two years, as we know, the European Parliament has
periodically held discussions on the direct involvement of the
European Union in the process of the Karabakh conflict peaceful
settlement.
In their statements, senior EU officials constantly emphasize the
necessity of enhancing the role of this structure in the South
Caucasus.
In one of the resolutions adopted by the European Parliament's Foreign
Affairs Committee, it was noted that France should be replaced by the
European Union in the OSCE Minsk Group, which, however, was not
supported by European officials. On the contrary, they stated once
again that the negotiations on the Karabakh settlement must be
continued in the format of the Minsk Group, and the European Union,
obviously, must assist in this process and intensify its cooperation
with all the states of the South Caucasus region.
Though relative calm on the subject is established now, however, a
question occurs: what is the goal of such statements and why is the
issue periodically raised by the European Parliament members?
"It is clear that the European Union wants to play a greater role in
the region. It is also seeking new ways to engage in the process of
peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict. The current efforts of the
EU are aimed at promoting the peaceful solution to the issue, as well
as its encouragement. But, they are not aimed at replacing any state
in the Minsk Group. France will remain a co-chair of the Minsk Group',
said Director of the Armenian Center for Regional Studies Richard
Kirakosian.
When asked by the Azat Artsakh correspondent whether the EU can play
any role in the settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict, the
political scientist answered that the EU was facing a new opportunity
and the imperative of greater involvement in the processes in the
South Caucasus. He recalled the positive result of the European
intervention in the Georgian-Ossetian war. On the other hand,
according to R. Kirakosian, for greater involvement in the regional
processes and, consequently, for consolidation of its successful role,
the EU must overcome the seemingly contradictory nature of its own
strategy: each of the leading states of this structure tends to follow
its own national policy, in some cases differing from the policy of
other states. These differences are clearly seen in its relations with
Russia, particularly in the field of energy policy.
What does the political scientist think of the view that the decisive
role in resolving the Karabakh issue belongs to Russia and the United
States, which cannot be said about France? Is it possible that these
two great powers come to an agreement in the future to replace France
with the European Union? `The U.S. and Russia support France, although
Washington supports also the European Union, but there are no talks on
replacing France', said R. Kirakosian. `Nevertheless, the future of
the EU in the region depends on itself. Today, it faces a serious
challenge - to reconcile the competing national policies and to
elaborate a common policy of strategic involvement', he noted.
Then, Mr. Kirakosian noted that the European Union would implement its
plans for deeper involvement in the regional processes, since we
cannot continue to ignore or underestimate the task that has become
the imperative for this structure - specifically, to play a key role
in the South Caucasus, a region that is considered risky in terms of
establishing comprehensive security and stability. Consequently, he
said, it is clear that the leaders of the three states in the region -
Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, as well as Nagorno-Karabakh, which
hasn't achieved its legal recognition yet, will keep the key to their
future in their hands. And though overcoming the isolation of the
South Caucasus has become an imperative for the EU, however, in the
political scientist's opinion, the real stability and security are
conditioned by the legitimacy of the authorities in the regional
states, the level of local economic development, and the conducted
policy. Geopolitics, perhaps, plays a minor role in this plane.
Continuing his comments, R. Kirakosian noted that the EU would
intensify its involvement in the regional processes by supporting two
leaders of the Eastern Partnership program - Sweden and Poland.
The goal of this prestigious European structure is more than clear -
to expand its activities in the South Caucasus, in particular, to
intensify its efforts on the Karabakh conflict settlement.
What does the analyst think about the view exaggerated in the
international media that in the negotiation process on the Karabakh
settlement a certain role can be played by Turkey and Iran, which are
considered influential states in the Middle East region? According to
Mr. Kirakosian, the West in general, and in particular, the EU and the
OSCE are against any role of Turkey and Iran, and it is unlikely that
any of these countries will be involved in the process. Karabakh
became a touchstone for the EU in terms of commitments and
manifestation of determination, and in a broader sense it became also
the "last chance" for the OSCE Minsk Group and the European Union.
Ultimately, the Karabakh conflict is the only conflict in large
Europe, where the EU does not play any role.
Ruzan ISHKHANIAN