JAVIER SOLANA: "THERE IS NO MILITARY SOLUTION TO THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT. AFTER THE GEORGIA CRISIS, THIS SHOULD BE CLEAR TO ALL…"

Today.Az
litics/50433.html
Feb 2 2009
Azerbaijan

Day.Az interview with EU senior representative on issues of general
external policy and security policy Javier Solana.

– Mr.Solana, how do you assess the political situation in Azerbaijan
today, especially the state of democracy and provision of freedom of
expression and pluralism in Azerbaijan?

– I think both Azerbaijan and the European Union want to develop closer
relations, and this on many fronts, from political and economic
to co-operation on regional security. As regards the situation
in Azerbaijan today, we support the reform agenda announced by
President Aliev in October, which focuses on democratisation and
civic participation, and we of course are ready to help with its
implementation. These and many other issues, like for instance the
media situation, are part of the European Neighbourhood Action Plan
which we have agreed with Azerbaijan and which we will continue to
implement together.

– You have called on the Azerbaijani government to review decision to
halt transmission of Liberty, Voice of America and BBC radio stations
on the local frequencies. Can the EU put pressure on the Azerbaijani
government in this issue and which solution is more favourable in
this case?

– We regretted the decision not to renew the broadcasting licences,
because it deprives listeners of a valuable alternative source of
news and information. We think there is still room to review this
decision and that a solution can be found. I think this would be in
everyone’s interest

– What can you say about the overall situation in the South Caucasus
region? To what extent is it stable, considering the five-day war in
Georgia, Russia’s position in this issue and its possible projection
on the situation around Nagorno Karabakh in case hostilities are
resumed between Azerbaijan and Armenia?

– I think the crisis in Georgia has been a wake-up call for the entire
South Caucasus region. It has shown that unresolved conflicts can
be very dangerous even after many years, and that military action is
not a solution. It has also shown how the countries in the region are
interdependent and vulnerable, and that there is need to fundamentally
change the dynamic in the region.

After the EU’s rapid response to the August crisis and our strong
engagement on the ground in Georgia, there should be no doubt about
the importance we attach to the South Caucasus region. The proposal
for an "Eastern Partnership" is further evidence of this.

We want to work closely with the countries in the region, as well
as with Russia, Turkey and the US. Maintaining good relations and
constructive dialogue with all countries in the region seems to us as
the best way towards stability, security and progress. Let me stress
here the important role of Turkey and how encouraged we are by the
recent steps to improve relations between Turkey and Armenia.

– Is the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict one of the
main tasks of the European Union? Which diplomatic assistance can
EU provide to Azerbaijan considering the fact that Russia, being
a peacekeeper on the one hand, supplies Armenia with armament of
a total of $800,000,000 free of charge thus violating the military
balance between the conflict parties?

– There is no military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. After
the Georgia crisis, this should be clear to all. In this spirit, we
warmly welcomed that the Presidents of both Azerbaijan and Armenia
committed themselves in Moscow last year to a peaceful settlement of
the conflict. This new dynamic should be maintained with concrete
actions and determination. The EU fully supports the OSCE Minsk
Group efforts and remains ready to assist through confidence-building
measures and people-to-people contacts. My representative Peter Semneby
is working hard in this direction and he has my full support. We are
confident that a viable, negotiated settlement to this conflict will
contribute greatly to the region’s stability, security and progress.