AzerTag, Azerbaijan
July 2 2005
OSCE PA DISCUSSES OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT
[July 02, 2005, 11:29:24]
Swedish MP Göran Lennmarker, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special
Representative on the Nagorno Karabakh Conflict, presented his report
to Heads of Delegations to the OSCE PA. The Report spells out his
ideas on how to promote a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict within the ongoing OSCE Minsk Peace-process.
The conflict between the Armenians and Azerbaijanis over the region
of Nagorno Karabakh broke out more than a decade ago, leaving
territories occupied and resulting in displaced people living under
miserable conditions on both sides. Although a ceasefire was
established in 1994, the conflict remains unsolved.
Mr. Lennmarker stresses that `the conflict is not frozen. Several
people are killed along the line-of-contact every year’. He adds:
`there is no alternative to a peaceful solution – in fact there is an
urgent need to solve the conflict in order to end the personal,
economic, and social suffering on both sides of this conflict’.
He suggests basing a solution on experiences from Europe, where
democracy and integration are fundamental components in securing a
lasting peace. Strong European and international institutions stand
ready to support Armenia and Azerbaijan. This is a generous offer and
must be seized.
He also stresses the usefulness of the work done by the Parliamentary
Delegations of Armenia and Azerbaijan: `Once a peace agreement has
been finalized by the two Governments, the parliamentary dimension
becomes invaluable in informing the public and in ensuring the
implementation. It is of utmost importance that networks of Members
of Parliaments already exist and stand ready to take on these tasks’.
Mr. Lennmarker was appointed in June 2002 and has since then visited
Armenia and Azerbaijan on numerous occasions, meeting with
representatives of all sections of society including refugees on both
sides. He has also met with international actors, including the
Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.