"COMPANIONSHIP OPTIMISM"

Feb ruary 27, 2010

"The European Union started a process in the three countries of the
South Caucasus, which it hopes to complete by signing a companionship
agreement," yesterday told the Radio Liberty service in Azerbaijan
Peter Semneby, the EU’s special representative for the South Caucasus.

He also added, "This is a new step and will envisage firmer political
relations." He said his talks with officials as well as opposition
and civil society figures would also touch on energy and human rights
as well as regional issues such as Azerbaijan’s conflict with Armenia
over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. "These are issues that are
high on our agenda and the list of issues that we bring up basically
on every opportunity," he said. "I hope that we will see some movement
forward in order for this not to grow into a more problematic issue
in our relationship than it needs to be." Semneby also described as
"questionable" aspects of the amendments passed earlier this month.

The changes make it an offence to photograph, videotape, or make an
audio recording of anyone without their permission. Formally this
process fits in the framework of the EU Eastern Partnership Program
and will indeed have a positive impact on the three countries of the
region, including Armenia. On the other hand, it is clear that no such
agreement can ever be signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan unless
there is essential progress in the resolution of the NKR conflict.

Thus, the hopes of the EU are most probably connected with the current
developments in the NKR conflict. Peter Semneby is so informed of
the developments of the NKR that he can allow himself to express such
"optimism."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress