EU CALLS FOR DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO STEPANAKERT AIRPORT ISSUE
Karabakh | 11.01.13 | 10:21
Photolure
The European Union wants Armenia and Azerbaijan to solve the issue
around the possible operation of an airport in Karabakh to be solved
diplomatically to avoid any further tensions in the region.
This was stated by European Commissioner for Enlargement and European
Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule after his meeting with the visiting
speaker of the Armenian parliament, Hovik Abrahamyan, in Brussels
on Thursday.
The operation of the airport near Stepanakert has been a prickly issue
ever since Karabakh authorities reconstructed the facility with an
intension to put it into use for civilian flights to and from Yerevan
in May 2011. Karabakh officials have repeatedly postponed the launch
of flights amid threats from Baku to shoot down any aircraft taking
off or landing in Karabakh, which Azerbaijan still considers to be
its territory.
The latest warnings against the operation of the Stepanakert airport
were heard from Baku earlier this week following reports that Karabakh
intended to lunch the first commercial Stepanakert-Yerevan-Stepanakert
flight after New Year holidays.
A statement issued for the press following the Fule-Abrahamyan meeting
reads: "Issues concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement process were
discussed, including the issue of possible flights to the airport in
Nagorno-Karabakh. Commissioner Fule reiterated the EU's continued
support for the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and their efforts in
facilitating a peaceful settlement. He also stressed the need for the
sides to seek a diplomatic solution to issues relating to this airport
and to avoid any actions that could fuel tensions in the region."
http://armenianow.com/karabakh/42435/armenia_azerbaijan_european_union_karabakh_stepana kert_airport_operation
Karabakh | 11.01.13 | 10:21
Photolure
The European Union wants Armenia and Azerbaijan to solve the issue
around the possible operation of an airport in Karabakh to be solved
diplomatically to avoid any further tensions in the region.
This was stated by European Commissioner for Enlargement and European
Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule after his meeting with the visiting
speaker of the Armenian parliament, Hovik Abrahamyan, in Brussels
on Thursday.
The operation of the airport near Stepanakert has been a prickly issue
ever since Karabakh authorities reconstructed the facility with an
intension to put it into use for civilian flights to and from Yerevan
in May 2011. Karabakh officials have repeatedly postponed the launch
of flights amid threats from Baku to shoot down any aircraft taking
off or landing in Karabakh, which Azerbaijan still considers to be
its territory.
The latest warnings against the operation of the Stepanakert airport
were heard from Baku earlier this week following reports that Karabakh
intended to lunch the first commercial Stepanakert-Yerevan-Stepanakert
flight after New Year holidays.
A statement issued for the press following the Fule-Abrahamyan meeting
reads: "Issues concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement process were
discussed, including the issue of possible flights to the airport in
Nagorno-Karabakh. Commissioner Fule reiterated the EU's continued
support for the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and their efforts in
facilitating a peaceful settlement. He also stressed the need for the
sides to seek a diplomatic solution to issues relating to this airport
and to avoid any actions that could fuel tensions in the region."
http://armenianow.com/karabakh/42435/armenia_azerbaijan_european_union_karabakh_stepana kert_airport_operation