MAY NAGORNO KARABAKH APPEAR UNDER THE AEGIS OF EU?
Davit Mikaelian

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

"I believe that presently perhaps the most acceptable way would
be if Nagorno Karabakh appeared under the aegis of the EU until the
resolution of the conflict (up to a referendum on the status of Nagorno
Karabakh). In other words, Nagorno Karabakh would become a special
area of the EU where the laws of the EU would be valid," said Hrant
Melkumian, the leader of the Communist Party of Artsakh in commenting
on the recent developments. He thinks this approach is justified in
terms of sustaining stability and peace in the region and development
of the country’s economy, and finds that if the members of the EU are
interested in "having a positive precedent of conflict resolution,"
they should not miss this exceptional chance. Mr. Melkumian thinks that
despite the statements of the mediators that they are ready to accept
the agreement achieved by the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan and
reach a lasting solution, in this stage there cannot be significant
progress because the lasting fruitless negotiations do not inspire
optimism. And the defensive factor is, according to him, the main
obstacle. "And in order for the conflict parties not to feel obliged
in the talks," the political scientist considers the variant of making
the area of Nagorno Karabakh subject to the EU as quite realistic.

The statement of the leader of the NKR Communist Party contains
interesting suggestions on overcoming the defensive syndrome. The
problem acquires more importance when the EU Special Representative
for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby states that the EU is likely to
promote contact with Nagorno Karabakh, which may facilitate a peace
settlement. Hrant Melkumian reminded that in 1988, at the height of the
Karabakh movement there was a similar proposal on temporary unification
of Nagorno Karabakh with the Russian Federation, which unfortunately
failed because the Armenian party was not interested. "This proposal
remained as an idea." With regard to the EU, Hrant Melkumian thinks the
idea is quite realistic, and this organization can be trusted, "because
the EU is a union of states based on democratic principles, consensus,
and has an authoritative parliament." With regard to the coordination
of the return of refugees, Hrant Melkumian said, "I am not against
that the Azerbaijanis return to live in Karabakh. However, Karabakh
will receive as many Azerbaijani refugees as displaced Armenians will
return to Azerbaijan," said the leader of the NKR Communist Party.