EU IS LIKELY TO SET UP CLOSER CONTACT WITH NAGORNO KARABAKH

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
23 Dec 2006

During his recent visit to Armenia the EU Special Representative
for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby stated that the EU is likely
to set up direct contact with Nagorno Karabakh. He thinks that a
more active approach of the EU would be helpful to the efforts for
the settlement of the conflict. It is important for us to listen to
and set up contact with all the parties of the conflict, he said,
regretting that the contact has not been sufficient so far.

During the news conference after his meeting with NR President Arkady
Ghukassian Peter Semneby assured that the international community and
the EU do not have a negative attitude towards the democratic process
in Nagorno Karabakh. He stated that they acknowledge the high-level
democratic culture in Karabakh, which is positive. Meanwhile, he
said they cannot accept some basic principles connected with the
referendum, namely the referendum determines questions, including the
status of Nagorno Karabakh, which must be settled through negotiations,
the EU representative thinks. Peter Semneby did not visit Stepanakert
because in the period of the referendum it might give rise to different
interpretations. He said he is likely to visit Stepanakert soon, and
expects a productive visit. According to him, it would be difficult to
set up relations in conflict areas and settle the conflicts without
the support of the international community. Peter Semneby hopes
that the past few weeks of successful talks will continue during the
upcoming election. In answer to the question of a news reporter if
the model of Kosovo could be applied to other conflicts, he said in
the case of Kosovo the international community and the UN Council for
Security took the initiative. Emphasizing that the self-determination
of nations underlies the law of nations, the EU official said Kosovo
is a singular case.

OFELIA KAMAVOSSIAN.
23-12-2006