OSCE PA elaborates on Garabagh conflict report

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
July 20 2005

Baku, July 19, AssA-Irada — The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
has elaborated on the report prepared by its rapporteur on the
Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper Garabagh conflict, Goran Lennmarker.

The report, which was discussed in July at the OSCE PA session
in the United States, terms some views on the conflict settlement
made in Washington as an ‘invaluable opportunity’, the OSCE PA
secretariat said.

Azerbaijan and Armenia interpret history differently, which
necessitates achieving a ‘balanced agreement’, the document said.

“Unbiased understanding of the past is particularly important for
those who suffered and are now seeking justice.” Lennmarker suggested
that European experience should be used in settling the conflict based
on several key principles, including assurance that the two countries
face no national security threats from each other, observance to high
standards on democracy and human rights, and economic integration that
would promote multi-faceted development. The citizens of Azerbaijan
and Armenian should enjoy living conditions meeting European standards,
the report said.

The rapporteur also said that Azerbaijan and Armenia could set up a
zone of security, democracy and prosperity jointly with Georgia.

With regard to the status of Upper Garabagh, Lennmarker emphasized that
seeking solutions based on economic integration would considerably
simplify the issue. If the borders open up and an integrated economy
is established, control over the territory will become less important
and disputes over the matter will subside, the report said.

Lennmarker also recalled that Azerbaijan stated its readiness to
provide Garabagh with the highest status.*