BENITA FERRERO-WALDNER DETECTS DANGEROUS TRENDS THE SOUTH CAUCASUS
Public Radio, Armenia
Oct 4 2006
"Dangerous trends" have emerged in the South Caucasus in the recent
months, EU Commissioner on Enlargement Benita Ferrero-Waldner told
"Turan" agency. "We see no real progress in the settlement of the
frozen conflicts and listen to rhetoric, which is not that favourable
and impacts the public opinion. These are troublesome processes for all
those persons who anticipate peaceful resolution of the conflicts. I
find also that the great expenses on armament in the South Caucasus,
where the poverty level is high even without it, is a negative trend,"
she said.
What can Brussels suggest? In response to the question, the EU
Commissioner noted that the European Union wants settlement through
negotiations. According to her, the aggravation of tension can lead
to unpredictable consequences for the region.
"In case of the Karabakh conflict the European Union stands for
the current talks in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. The
Neighbourhood policy is not a mechanism for prevention or resolution
of conflicts. However, by defending democracy, contacts between
people, regional cooperation, socio-economic development programs,
it is possible to shape a correct atmosphere for settlement,"
Ferrero-Waldner declared.