CE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS: ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN AND GEORGIA ARE NOT READY TO TAKE PART IN IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECT ‘ON STABILITY PACT FOR THE SOUTH CAUCASUS’

arminfo
2007-09-03 18:35:00

AmInfo. Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia are not ready to take part
in implementation of the project "On Stability Pact for the South
Caucasus ", such a conclusion is contained in a written reply of
the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in relation to
the similar preliminary project adopted in October, 2006, during the
session of PACE Commission on political issues.

As a source in PACE told ArmInfo, the statement of the Committee of
Ministers says, in particular, that the Council of Europe has played
a very active role in the region since the accession of Georgia,
and subsequently of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Thanks to its convention
mechanisms and its reform support programmes it has helped to promote
good governance and to strengthen democracy, the rule of law, human
rights and the rights of national minorities. Moreover, by inviting
these states to become members, the Organisation also aimed to create
a climate conducive to overcoming the impediments to regional co-
operation.

The Committee of Ministers shares the Assembly’s concerns about
the continued lack of a political solution to the various "frozen"
conflicts in the South Caucasus. These conflicts have negative
repercussions on political, social and economic progress in the
region. They have impeded the emergence of regional co- operation
covering the whole South Caucasus. The Committee of Ministers would
point out at this juncture that, upon their accession, the countries
concerned undertook to solve these conflicts through peaceful means
and according to the principles of international law, rejecting any
threat to resort to force. Moreover, having shared the Assembly’s
concern saying that a "political will is absent during final
decision-making on the "frozen" conflicts in South Caucasus, "the
Committee of Ministers nonetheless strongly encourages the authorities
of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to launch a constructive debate
on overcoming the impediments to regional co-operation and to seize,
through the international community, every opportunity to settle frozen
conflicts and to establish forums conducive to the emergence of solid,
sustainable political, economic and cultural regional co-operation
on issues of common concern.

Moreover, the Committee of Ministers recommended EU, via implementation
of the "New European Neighborhood" programme, to increase the share
of participation of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in initiatives
on regional cooperation in such spheres as environment, management
of eater resources, energy, education, issues of borders protection,
transport and communications.