THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ADOPTED

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18 January, 2008

The European Parliament adopted the resolution on a more effective
EU Policy for the South Caucasus.

The European Parliament resolution on a more effective EU Policy for
the South Caucasus passed on January 17, 2008 with several paragraphs
referring to specifically Armenia and the Nagorno Karabakh Conflict.

The resolution refers extensively to the need to resolve regional
conflicts as well as transport and energy issues, and economic
cooperation.

The resolution affirms that "a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict — a conflict which exacerbates relations between
Armenia and Azerbaijan — and of Georgia’s internal conflicts in
Abkazia and South Ossetia, is essential for stability in the EU
neighbourhood, as well as for the economic and social development of
the South Caucasus region."

Referring to the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, the resolution states
that "the project bypasses the existing and fully operative rail
line in Armenia; urges the South Caucasus republics and Turkey to
pursue effectively policies of regional economic integration and to
refrain from any short-sighted and politically motivated regional
energy and transportation projects which violate ENP principles of
sound development."

Further, regarding the Nagorno Karabakh conflict specifically,
the European Parliament "notes that the contradiction between the
principles of self-determination and territorial integrity contributes
to the perpetuation of the unresolved post-Soviet conflicts in the
South Caucasus region; considers that this problem can be overcome
only through negotiations."

Finally, the Parliament "calls on key actors in the region to play
a constructive role in resolving unresolved post-Soviet conflicts
in the region and to take steps to normalise its relations with
neighbours; reiterates its call upon Turkey to engage in serious and
intensive efforts for the resolution of outstanding disputes with
all its neighbours, in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant
UN Security Council resolutions and other relevant international
conventions, and including a frank and open discussion on past events;
reiterates its call on the Turkish and Armenian Governments to start
the process of reconciliation for the present and the past, and calls
on the Commission to facilitate this process while taking advantage
of the regional cooperation realised within the ENP and Black Sea
Synergy policy; calls on the Commission and the Council to address
the opening of the Turkish border with Armenia with the authorities
of those two countries."