AzerTag, Azerbaijan
April 18 2005
EUROPEAN UNION WILL INCREASE EFFORTS FOR SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO
KARABAKH CONFLICT
[April 18, 2005, 22:49:19]
On April 18, has taken place the sixth session of the European
Union-Parliament of Azerbaijan Cooperation Committee.
Opening the session, the co-chairman of Committee, chairman of
standing committee of Milli Majlis on human rights Sirus Tebrizli has
told that from the point of view of development of links between
Azerbaijan and the European Union and integration of the country into
Europe and other similar actions are of great importance. Development
of democracy in Azerbaijan, protection of the rights and freedom of
the person, successful results of carried out reforms raise hopes
that the country in the future will become a member of the European
Union.
Speaking at the action, co-chairman Anna Maria Ishler Biguin first of
all on behalf of delegation has expressed gratitude for the
hospitality rendered to them, the organization of session. She
informed, that in this session take part also the deputies from the
Poland, Slovenia and Estonia just admitted in the Council of Europe.
In spite of the fact that intolerable, heaviest vital conditions of
refugees and IDPs have made on them heavy impression during their
brief visit to the regions of Azerbaijan, economic development
observable in the country and transparency give reason to be
optimistic. The European visitors even wish, that businessmen of
their countries, tourists came to Azerbaijan. The democratic
development observable after last session in Baku, strengthening of
democratic institutes, restoration of human rights, carrying out of
free elections give the basis to have high opinion about Azerbaijan.
And all this facilitates admission of Azerbaijan in the near future
in members of the European Union. However, alongside with it,
carrying out of some reforms is again necessary. At this session, we
shall have exchange of views on execution of obligations taken by
Azerbaijan before the Council of Europe and OSCE and about other
questions; we shall give recommendations with the purpose of
rendering assistance in solution of existing problems. On the basis
of impressions, we shall prepare the report for three basic
structures of the European Commission. We shall try that the
investment in Azerbaijan, and also the recommendations to help the
Minsk Group in settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict in settlement of which we are much interested. The European
Union is interested in quick peace settlement of this problem. It is
necessary to restore territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, refugees
and IDPs return to their native lands. We should try also that
cooperation between the European Union and Azerbaijan and Armenia
continued. The European Union has special representative on the
Southern Caucasus, and now we try to open our extraordinary embassies
in three countries of region.
In the meeting, discussed were questions of realized reforms,
accomplishments achieved in the country, urgent questions to be
resolved, and prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the
European Union.
Ambassador of Greta Britain in Baku Lawrence Bristown spoke on behalf
of Luxembourg that now presides at the European Union. He, in
particular, highly appraised the partnership agreements between
Azerbaijan and the European Union. The diplomat expressed hope that
the EU Council Ministers at the 25 April session would adopt certain
decisions on economic cooperation with Azerbaijan.
In the discussions, also were focused ways out of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict, preparation for the coming parliament elections in
Azerbaijan and other questions.
The meeting will be continued on 19 April.
***
The same day, delegation of the European Union met with the refugees
and IDPs in Barda region of the Republic.