EU URGED TO PLAY GREATER ROLE IN SOUTH CAUCASUS

Hurriyet Daily News
April 9 2010
Turkey

The EU must develop a strategy to resolve conflicts and ensure
stability in the South Caucasus, according to members of the European
Parliament, or MEPs, in a draft resolution adopted by the Foreign
Affairs Committee.

According to the resolution, EU strategy in the South Caucasus
should concentrate on solving conflicts and promoting democracy,
cooperating on economic and social development issues, and resolving
human rights issues.

The region is central to the EU’s energy interests as it contains
the South Caucasus Pipeline, which transports gas from the Caspian
to the Black Sea.

The implementation of the Eastern Partnership, which covers the three
South Caucasus republics, as well as the entry into the Lisbon Treaty,
offers the EU a prime opportunity to conceive a comprehensive strategy
for the region, according to a report on the resolution by Trend
News Agency.

The current conflict in the region is neither acceptable nor viable,
the resolution stated, expressing concern over the recent increases
in military spending. "Frozen conflicts" are obstacles to economic and
social development, MEPs warned, referring to tensions between Russia
and Georgia, the long-standing dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan
over Nagorno-Karabakh; and the row between Turkey and Armenia.

Finally, recognizing the importance of the region for the EU’s energy
security and supply, MEPs expressed their support of strengthening
EU-South Caucasus cooperation in energy projects, in particular to
successfully complete the Nabucco pipeline.