EU envoy says stationing of peacekeeping forces in Garabagh possible
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Feb 11 2005
Baku, February 10, AssA-Irada — The European Union special envoy
on South Caucasus Heikki Talvitie does not rule out stationing of
peacekeeping forces in Garabagh. “We hope that the settlement process
on the Upper Garabagh conflict will take place and peacekeeping forces
stationed in the region”, he told press conference on the results
of his visit to Azerbaijan on Thursday. He highly assessed the peace
talks on the level of the two countries’ foreign ministers. Talvitie
termed the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group as efficient and said
his organization appreciates the talks on the conflict resolution.
With regard to the peacekeeping contingent, the EU envoy said that this
may be possible only if a real proposal on the conflict resolution
is presented. Only in this case, the EU member states would assist
in setting up a peacekeeping mission, he said.
Talvitie added that the EU is closely following the democratic
development in Azerbaijan and stressed the need for applying Western
values and standards for the country’s admission to the ‘European
family’.
Touching upon the trials of opposition leaders, Talvitie said the EU
will issue a statement on the matter shortly, which will be based on a
report of the OSCE Bureau of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.*