Karabakh cannot be part of Baku says EU rapporteur

525 NEWSPAPER, Azerbaijan
May 14 2004

Pier Garton, the European Union’s (EU) rapporteur on the South
Caucasus, said, “Nagorno-Karabakh cannot be subordinated to Baku”
during his visit to Yerevan.

The diplomat believes that firstly the conflicting sides should have
a desire to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.

“[The conflict] can be solved if the peace continues, borders are
opened and people are not discriminated because of their citizenship,”
Garton said.

He drew parallels with Europe, saying that the issue of citizenship
is dwarfed when borders are open.

“I understand that Nagorno-Karabakh cannot be subordinated to Baku
and if Karabakh can provide itself with food and manage to live
independently, it is not important for it to officially be a part of
Azerbaijan or Armenia.”