ARMENIAN MPS PREVENTED FROM EQUATING KOSOVO CONFLICT WITH NAGORNO KARABAKH DURING PACE DEBATES
Azeri Press Agency
Jan 22 2008
Azerbaijan
The issue on election of judges from five countries to the European
Court of Human Rights has been debated today in the plenary session
of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). APA’s
European bureau correspondent following the session reports that the
list from Azerbaijan was not put to the vote, as it had been rejected.
The list of the candidates from Turkey, Moldova, Bulgaria, Slovenia
and Latvia has been confirmed. Following this, the parliamentarians
started debating the report prepared by Lord Russell-Johnston
"Developments as regards the future status of Kosovo" (Doc.11472).
Lord Russell-Johnston noted that the solution of the Kosovo status
process is a fundamental element for ensuring peace and long-term
stability in Europe.
Lord Russell-Johnston notes in his report that the positions of
Pristina and Belgrade cannot be reconciled, it creates a long-term
frozen conflict in the Balkans and hinders stability in the region
and Europe.
According to Lord Russell-Johnston, the settlement of the conflict
will not serve as a precedent.
"It is, indeed, a unique situation which I cannot see anywhere else
in Europe," he said.
"I shall repeat my personal view that, in the absence of a mutually
accepted solution, independence is the only viable solution," he said.
Comparing Russia with a bear Lord Russell-Johnston criticized official
Moscow’s position on the problem of Kosovo.
"I can not understand why Russia hinders determination of the status
of Kosovo, while it supports separatist regimes like South Ossetia
and Abkhazia," he said.
Following this, discussions started. Some European parliamentarians
said UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari’s plan is the only viable
solution for the region and Europe. Russian parliamentarian Konstantin
Kosachev protested against Lord Russell-Johnston’s accusations against
official Moscow and regarded his comparison as disrespect.
Armenian Parliamentarian addressing the participants tried to
compare Nagorno Karabakh conflict with Kosovo and wanted to found
similarities. Swiss parliamentarian Dick Marty stated that Kosovo will
be precedent. Ganira Pashayeva, member of Azerbaijani delegation to
PACE noted that this conflict continuing in Europe for a long time
will be solved recently and stated that she is anxious about several
countries’ trying to use Kosovo for their interests. She noted that
Armenian officials and Armenian counterparts’ reports on regulation
of Kosovo conflict can be precedent for the regulations of conflicts
in CIS countries are very regretful.
"Such opinions cause damage to the peaceful negotiations continuing
between Azerbaijan and Armenia. I want to tell Armenian counterparts
and members of assembly that, there is not similarity between Kosovo
conflicts with conflicts in CIS region. They are very different in
their history, reasons and root. Council of Europe, Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe, European Union, UNO officials and
OSCE MG co-chairs announced it several times. New President of PACE
Lluis Maria de Puig stated the same opinion in the press conference
yesterday," she said. Ms. Pashayeva noted that Nagorno Karabakh
conflict occurred due to Armenians’ occupying 20 % of Azerbaijani
territories. She stressed that, 7 Azerbaijani regions, as well as
Nagorno Karabakh is under control of Armenia. She noted that Armenia
pursued ethnic cleansing policy in occupied regions and that there
is not even one Azerbaijani there.
These issues are clearly shown in resolution 1416 along with UN
resolutions. I can enumerate some facts, but I think these are enough
to show to my Armenian counterparts that Kosovo and Nagorno Karabakh
are different conflicts. Nagorno Karabakh, Abkhazia and South Ossetia
conflicts which are lasing for years impede establishment of stability
and security in South Caucasus. The solution of the conflicts is
necessary for each of us. To our regret, Armenia does not fulfill
UN and PACE resolutions on the solution of the conflict, does not
withdraw occupied Azerbaijani territories. Armenian representatives
make such statements which serve to straining situation. We ask
leadership of Council of Europe and Parliamentary Assembly to comment
strictly against several countries’ delegations’ using debates on the
settlement of Kosovo conflict for their political interests. Though
20% of the regions are under occupation, Azerbaijan prefers
process of negotiations, peace talks. Such statements of Armenian
political figures against such good will should worry international
organizations, including Council of Europe which recommends peaceful
solution to the conflicts," she said.
The other Azerbaijani representative to PACE Gultakin Hajiyeva
called to be careful in the discussions on the further status of
Kosovo. MP noting that it is possible to look for parallels among
existing conflicts stressed that each conflict is unique for its
nature and origin.
Ms. Hajiyeva called on Armenian parliamentarians to refrain from
searching similarities between Kosovo and Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
The discussions continue.