European official says conflicts in South Caucasus must be settled

European official says conflicts in South Caucasus must be settled

Arminfo
4 Jul 07

Yerevan, 4 July: Frozen conflicts in the South Caucasus must be
settled, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe [PACE] Rene van der Linden has said prior to his visit to the
region.

The PACE president noted that the South Caucasus is in the focus of the
Council of Europe, the press service of the Council of Europe reported.
"The main reason for my return to the region is the opportunity to
evaluate how the Council of Europe can assist the settlement of
‘frozen’ conflicts. Only through the interest of all the nations of the
South Caucasus can a peaceful development of the region be achieved,"
the PACE president said.

He noted the importance of the role of parliamentary diplomacy in
conflict resolution.

In addition, during his visit van der Linden intends to raise questions
of protection of the rights of the opposition, freedom of expression,
the role of the civil society, establishment of an intercultural and
interreligious dialogue, relations with neighbouring countries and
opportunities for the formation of a united Europe without separating
borders.

Rene van der Linden will arrive in Armenia today. He will visit Georgia
on 5-7 July, and Azerbaijan on 9 July.