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HEIKO LANGNER GIVES EUROPEAN OUTLOOK ON CAUCASUS
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Jan 27 2014
27 January 2014 - 1:14pm
German expert for post-Soviet space Heiko Langner has given his view
on integration of Georgia in Europe, Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.
Langner noted that European standards Georgia was trying to adopt
were no always used in every European state itself. He reminded that
Hungary and Berlusconi's Italy had shifted from the common European
course in the past years. The expert noted democratic progress recently
in Georgia but it depended on social practice.
The German specialist called Swiss chairmanship in the OSCE a positive
moment for the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. Switzerland has big
experience in mediation and remains a neutral state with an unbiased
approach. It can use the OSCE to stimulate the peace talks.
Concerning Armenia efforts to integrate in Europe, Langner said that
Armenia could only integration in secondary fields of cooperation. He
noted that Armenia had been using instruments of the European
Neighbourhood Policy more actively than Georgia. In his words, Armenia
has great political and economic dependence on Russia and has little
room for European integration.
He believes that the EU should continue working with Armenia for
further liberalization of its economy, mainly to boost European
investments. The EU should also cooperate in strengthening the borders
of Armenia to prevent illegal migration, according to Heiko Langner.
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Jan 27 2014
27 January 2014 - 1:14pm
German expert for post-Soviet space Heiko Langner has given his view
on integration of Georgia in Europe, Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.
Langner noted that European standards Georgia was trying to adopt
were no always used in every European state itself. He reminded that
Hungary and Berlusconi's Italy had shifted from the common European
course in the past years. The expert noted democratic progress recently
in Georgia but it depended on social practice.
The German specialist called Swiss chairmanship in the OSCE a positive
moment for the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. Switzerland has big
experience in mediation and remains a neutral state with an unbiased
approach. It can use the OSCE to stimulate the peace talks.
Concerning Armenia efforts to integrate in Europe, Langner said that
Armenia could only integration in secondary fields of cooperation. He
noted that Armenia had been using instruments of the European
Neighbourhood Policy more actively than Georgia. In his words, Armenia
has great political and economic dependence on Russia and has little
room for European integration.
He believes that the EU should continue working with Armenia for
further liberalization of its economy, mainly to boost European
investments. The EU should also cooperate in strengthening the borders
of Armenia to prevent illegal migration, according to Heiko Langner.