PACE CO-RAPPORTEUR SUPPORT ESTABLISHMENT OF SUB-COMMITTEE WITHIN COUNCIL OF EUROPE ON FROZEN CONFLICTS

Trend News Agency
Dec 21 2007
Azerbaijan

France, Paris / Trend corr. A.Maharramli / A co-rapporteur of the
PACE Monitoring Group on Azerbaijan Andrea Herkel supports the idea
to establish a permanent sub-committee on the frozen conflicts issue
within the Council of Europe.

"I support the idea to establish a permanent sub-committee within
PACE on frozen conflicts or a format of public hearings on conflict
problems. Naturally, the issue needs to be considered," Herkel stated
to the Trend agency.

Herkel believes that resolution of frozen conflicts is one of the
important issues for the Council of Europe. "The issue concerns
not only Azerbaijan but includes Georgia and Moldova. The issue is
necessary to be seriously discussed," Herkel noted.

Herkel stated we should not hope that "these conflicts may to be
settled tomorrow." "However, I support the position of Azerbaijan to
take up the issue seriously," he added.

Herkel considers important the role of Azerbaijani and Armenian
publics in settlement of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Comparing the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to the North-Osetin conflict,
Herkel noted presence of contacts and dialogues in the North-Osetin
conflict. "We can expect prospect if there are contacts and dialogues
between countries," the co-rapporteur said.

Herkel expressed regret that the present generation was brought up
expecting to return back to their homeland. This is a problem both
of international organizations and people themselves, Herkel stated.