BENITA FERERO-WALDNER: EU WILL UPHOLD THE EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH PEACE IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS

ArmRadio.am
30.08.2006 13:53

"The European Union will uphold its role in the establishment of peace
in the South Caucasian region. The European New Neighborhood Policy
will serve as a tool in this direction," UN Commissioner for Foreign
Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferero-Waldner
said at the "Caspian Prospects 2008" forum in the Slovenian city of
Bled. The Commissioner expressed the hope that it would be possible to
adopt the Actions Plans in the framework of the European neighborhood
Policy early October during the visit of representatives of the EU
Finnish Chairmanship and herself.

According to Benita Ferero-Waldner, the last weeks and months
have caused worrisome trends in the South Caucasus. Three negative
directions are noticeable, the combination of which is alarming. In
her words, the first one is the lack of progress in the settlement
of the frozen conflicts in Nagorno Karabakh, Abkhazia and South
Ossetia. The second is the increase of military expenses. The third
one, she considers, is the growth of militant statements. "We saw
during the past several months that the militant statements distort
the attention of the society. The political and military logics should
prevail," the Commissioner declared.

"This region has a huge economic potential, but peace is necessary
for the utilization of it. The natural resources are restricted here,
but it is impermisssable to waste the new opportunities for the
development of the region. I call on the leaders of the countries of
te region to comprehend the responsibility not only for their people
but for the region as a whole," Benita Ferero-Waldner declared.