Pan Armenian News

LENNMARKER: «GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH ISSUE
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05.07.2005 02:44

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today there is a «golden opportunity» for peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh issue based on the win-win outcome, when
Armenia and Azerbaijan will take least losses. The parties should intensify
the talks over the issue. OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) special
representative for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict Goran Lennmarker made a
statement on this at the PA annual session held in Washington. As reported
by OSCE PA press counsellor Jan Jooren, Lennmarker presented his report over
the issue to the delegation heads. The document reflected the rapporteur’s
ideas over securing a peace resolution of the conflict under the aegis of
the OSCE Minsk Group. In his speech Lennmarker underscored, «the Karabakh
conflict is not frozen. Many people annually die at the contact line between
the parties.» He also remarked, «there is virtually no alternative to the
peaceful resolution. It is absolutely necessary to solve the conflict and
put an end to the personal economic, social problems of both parties.» The
Swedish MP proposed not to base on the respective European experience, when
«democracy and integration form the foundation for securing final peace.»
«Powerful European and international institutions are ready to assist
Armenia and Azerbaijan at any moment. It is a generous offer and it should
be useful,» he emphasized. Lennmarker also noted the activities of the
Armenian and Azeri parliamentary delegations were very helpful. «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 should be noted that Goran Lennmarker was appointed to
the office of the OSCE PA special representative for Nagorno Karabakh in
June 2002 and has visited Armenia and Azerbaijan several times since then.
He has also held meetings with representatives of various public sectors of
the parties, including refugees, the Yerkir newspaper reported.