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NEW EASTERN EUROPE: APPROACH OF AZERBAIJANI AUTHORITIES HINDERS PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT
18:27 10/09/2014 >> REGION
The dramatic escalation of tensions in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
has become the main theme of the international media. The current
conflict began in 1988, but its roots go back to the beginning of
the last century. Each side accuses the other for non-observance
of the truce in the protocol of the ceasefire, signed in May 1994,
reads the article on the New Eastern Europe site.
According to the material recently, critical voices have risen
regarding the work of the OSCE Minsk Group. The European Union has
also been questioned. It is true that a satisfactory solution of the
conflict has not been found yet, though the negotiations continue
for more than a year. But it is equally true that a new large-scale
war has been avoided.
In June 2012, the co-chairs once again proposed two very logical steps
in order to avoid the loss of human lives in the only self-regulated
ceasefire agreement in the world. The first was to establish an
investigation mechanism for ceasefire violations.
The second proposed measure was the withdrawal of all snipers from
the line of contact. Both proposals were rejected by the Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. In its opinion, proposals would only
strengthen the status quo. Under these circumstances it is obvious
that any mediating effort either by the OSCE Minsk Group or any other
organisation becomes extremely challenging and progress is tremendously
difficult to achieve.
As the material notes the EU in its turn has launched programmes to
reinforce democracy in the South Caucasus - just like in any other
neighbouring and Eastern Partnership country. Office of EU High
Representative for Foreign and Security Policy issues makes annual
reports on the progress in the partner countries of the European
Union in the framework of the ENP.
According to the annual report on democracy, Armenia and Georgia have
made progress, and the situation in Azerbaijan has deteriorated.
Serious concern to the EU has caused the organization of the
presidential election on October 9, 2013. "The pre-election atmosphere
in almost all areas has significantly tightened the political freedom:
the deterioration of freedom of speech, pressure on journalists and
activists, restrictions on freedom of assembly, the introduction of
restrictive regulations in the law on non-governmental organizations."
Wave of repression against civil society has endangered another
EU-program "Support for confidence-building measures." Unfortunately,
many of the NGOs of Azerbaijan, which have been involved in this
program, have been arrested, the material reads.
http://www.panorama.am/en/politics/2014/09/10/eu-osce-azerbaijan/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
18:27 10/09/2014 >> REGION
The dramatic escalation of tensions in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
has become the main theme of the international media. The current
conflict began in 1988, but its roots go back to the beginning of
the last century. Each side accuses the other for non-observance
of the truce in the protocol of the ceasefire, signed in May 1994,
reads the article on the New Eastern Europe site.
According to the material recently, critical voices have risen
regarding the work of the OSCE Minsk Group. The European Union has
also been questioned. It is true that a satisfactory solution of the
conflict has not been found yet, though the negotiations continue
for more than a year. But it is equally true that a new large-scale
war has been avoided.
In June 2012, the co-chairs once again proposed two very logical steps
in order to avoid the loss of human lives in the only self-regulated
ceasefire agreement in the world. The first was to establish an
investigation mechanism for ceasefire violations.
The second proposed measure was the withdrawal of all snipers from
the line of contact. Both proposals were rejected by the Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. In its opinion, proposals would only
strengthen the status quo. Under these circumstances it is obvious
that any mediating effort either by the OSCE Minsk Group or any other
organisation becomes extremely challenging and progress is tremendously
difficult to achieve.
As the material notes the EU in its turn has launched programmes to
reinforce democracy in the South Caucasus - just like in any other
neighbouring and Eastern Partnership country. Office of EU High
Representative for Foreign and Security Policy issues makes annual
reports on the progress in the partner countries of the European
Union in the framework of the ENP.
According to the annual report on democracy, Armenia and Georgia have
made progress, and the situation in Azerbaijan has deteriorated.
Serious concern to the EU has caused the organization of the
presidential election on October 9, 2013. "The pre-election atmosphere
in almost all areas has significantly tightened the political freedom:
the deterioration of freedom of speech, pressure on journalists and
activists, restrictions on freedom of assembly, the introduction of
restrictive regulations in the law on non-governmental organizations."
Wave of repression against civil society has endangered another
EU-program "Support for confidence-building measures." Unfortunately,
many of the NGOs of Azerbaijan, which have been involved in this
program, have been arrested, the material reads.
http://www.panorama.am/en/politics/2014/09/10/eu-osce-azerbaijan/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress