PanARMENIAN.Net

Civil society can play important role in peace building processes
09.03.2009 16:49 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "The Co-Chairmen have been always stressing in their
statements that the political leaders should start preparing societies
for peace. They also always stress the importance of engaging actively
the societies in confidence-building initiatives. It is admirable that
the Co-Chairmen themselves are taking concrete steps to engage with
civil society. It is a step that should be welcomed and
appreciated. Many civil society leaders across the region welcome
opportunities for such direct engagement.

Experience in successful peace processes in other places in the world
show that civil society can play very important role in peace building
processes.

In the Nagorno-Karabakh case, it is a responsibility of the leaders
and the societies to take courageous steps towards achieving peaceful
settlement. The Minsk Group Co-chairmen could only facilitate this
process. I hope that such meetings continue and turn into a
constructive engagement. And I also wish that the political leaders in
the region take more proactive steps in engaging with their
societies. " Dessislava Roussanova

Stepanakert civil society representatives met MG OSCE Co-Chairmen
during their last Feb. 27 ` Mar. 2 visit.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress