EP REPORT ON SOUTH CAUCASUS MITIGATED

armradio.am
22.01.2008 10:46

The European Parliament adopted on Thursday, 17 January, a resolution
entitled "On a more effective EU policy for the South Caucasus: from
promises to actions". The MEPs gathered in plenary session voted
the final report [1] prepared by Mrs Polfer (Liberal, Luxemburg)
and the 27 amendments by 567 votes with 25 against.

In an overall view, the European Parliament considers that "the EU
needs to develop a clear profile and a stronger presence in the
region". The Parliament works for a socioeconomic integration as
advanced as possible with the States of the region by supporting "an
inbuilt differentiation in the application of the ENP policy towards
the countries concerned […] according to their individual merits".

Therefore, the Parliament "commends the internal political
and institutional reforms undertaken by Armenia following the
constitutional reform and in the context of implementation of the ENP
Action Plan" and "encourages the Armenian authorities to continue on
this path and to make further progress in strengthening democratic
structures, the rule of law and protection of human rights"; a
support also given to Georgia with some reserves because of "the
political developments in Georgia in November 2007, which escalated
into a violent police crackdown on peaceful demonstrations, the
closing-down of independent media outlets and the declaration of the
state of emergency". We also note that the MEPs calls on Georgia
to respect minority rights – the Armenians living in Djavakhk –
"in compliance with the Framework Convention for the Protection of
National Minorities".

On the other hand, the report is without appeal on Azerbaijan and shows
"once again" the MEPs serious concern "about the deterioration of the
human rights situation and media freedom in Azerbaijan". The resolution
"calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure freedom of the media,
to release immediately all journalists remaining in prison, to stop
harassment of journalists, particularly in the form of abusive use
of criminal libel laws".

We especially note that the European Parliament "reiterates its
respect and support for the territorial integrity and internationally
recognised borders of Azerbaijan, as well as for the right to
self-determination, in accordance with the UN Charter and the Helsinki
Final Act", while the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs was satisfied
with supporting "the internationally recognised borders of Azerbaijan".

"We are satisfied with this evolution: the amendments adopted –
especially those tabled by the EPP group (European Popular Party –
Conservative) have generally equilibrated the resolution; however the
report remains insufficient in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict
and the biased and aggressive role of Turkey in the South Caucasus",
declared the executive director of the European Armenian Federation,
Laurent Leylekian.

In other respects, while noting the infrastructure, energy and
transports projects undertaken by Turkey for Azerbaijan, the European
Parliament "strongly requests the countries involved and the Commission
to include Armenia in the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline […] in
compliance with the regional cooperation objective promoted by the
European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)". The Parliament notes that "the
Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway project bypasses the existing and fully
operative rail line in Armenia." A practise qualified "short-sighted
and politically motivated which violate ENP principles of sound
development".

The resolution condemns the "instrumentalisation of refugees" and
the "martial speeches", without mentioning the country (Azerbaijan)
responsible of these practises.

Finally, the European Parliament is content with reiterating its call
upon Turkey "engage in serious and intensive efforts for the resolution
of outstanding disputes with all its neighbours, […] and including
a frank and open discussion on past events", a highly cataleptic
reference to the Armenian genocide. The resolution also "calls on
the Commission and the Council to address the opening of the Turkish
border with Armenia with the authorities of those two countries".

"The resolution would have been clearer if it clarified that among the
three countries, only Azerbaijan is guilty of maintaining its refugees
in an unacceptable state of misery, and that its leaders constantly
threaten that they will restart war against Armenia. By citing
Azerbaijan, the European Parliament would have been in accordance
with other international organisations – Council of Europe, OSCE and
UN – which have already denounced these Azeri leaders heinous crimes"
indicated Laurent Leylekian.

"We are also disappointed by the paragraphs used to refer to the
Armenian genocide. To abstain from clearly and freely mentioning
the Armenian genocide perpetrated by Turkey, the European Parliament
introduces in the core of Europe and in an unacceptable way the taboo
established by Turkish denial", declared Leylekian. "It is not by
giving up its values that the European Union will support peace and
stability in the South Caucasus region", he concluded.