MARIE-ANNE ISLER-BEGUIN EXPRESSES HOPE THAT AZERBAIJAN TO RECOGNIZE
RIGHT OF NAGORNO KARABAKH TO SELF-DETERMINATION

YEREVAN, APRIL 20, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The 8th annual
sitting of the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation Commission
finished its work in Yerevan on April 20. As Commission Co-Chairpersons
Marie-Anne Isler-Beguin, the French Deputy of the European Parliament
and Armen Rustamian, the Chairman of the RA NA Standing Committee
on Foreign Relations mentioned at the summing up press-conference
convened on the same day, the agenda of the sitting was rather full
and involved regional problems and inner ones of Armenia. As a result
of the two-days discussions, statements and proposals consisting of
38 points were adopted unanimously. The text will be published as
soon as it is translated in Armenian. 6 points of the ones of the
document relate to the Nagorno Karabakh problem. It is particularly
mentioned that the European Union with all its structures, including
the Special Representative to South Caucasus, must assist solution
of the issue in correspondence with the international standards
and norms, including the right to self-determination and respect
of the national minorities’ rights. The Commission also re-affirms
that it supports the OSCE Minsk Group efforts in settlement of the
issue. It is alo fixed that solution of the Karabakh problem must
involve issues of the latter’s status, clear guarantees of security,
return of refugees, and the Nagorno Karabakh people’s participation
in the negotiation process must be secured. It is also mentioned that
the circumstance of the yet unsolved status of Nagorno Karabakh must
not be an obstacle for the international community respect the rights
and freedoms of people living there. The Commission also calls on the
conflicting sides to avoid sowing martial moods in the two societies,
and in future, to avoid calls on military actions or displays of
threats. Mrs.Beguin mentioned that the international community is
interested that the Nagorno Karabakh problem is solved as quickly
as possible and, exclusively, in a peaceful way. According to her,
the societies of the conflicting sides must also be ready for it. She
also expressed a hope that Azerbaijan as well will adopt the right
to self-determination recognized internationally. According to
A.Rustamian, “rather critical statements” were also involved in
the jointly adopted document. They must be taken into account,
and mistakes must be corrected. It is particularly spoken about
demands on the freedom and independence of press, on holding free
and just elections, on an effective anti-corruption struggle which
are attached serious importance to by the Commission, in the sense of
democratization of Armenia. A.Rustamian also mentioned that in the way
of the Eurointegration Armenia must observe both negative and positive
seeming estimations of the European partners in favour of Armenia,
“as both criticism and welcome speeches are directed to the same
purpose for Armenia takes its steps towards Europe as correct and
quick as possible and does not get off the way.”