EVGENI KIRILOV: EUROPE SHOULD DO MORE TO RESOLVE THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH DISPUTE

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 20, 2010 – 20:18 AMT 15:18 GMT

Europe’s relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia were debated
at European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday 20 May.

Bulgarian Socialist MEP Evgeni Kirilov who has drafted a report on the
issue and Czech MEP Milan Cabrnoch who heads Parliament’s delegation
for relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia expressed their
views on the issue. Mr Kirilov stated that "sometimes we tend to
forget that South Caucasus is in Europe". He went on to say that
"once the security improves the conditions for development of these
three countries will generally be much better, but also conditions
for progress towards a European integration would exist".

He sees this as requisite for the opening of negotiations on an
Association Agreement covering trade between the EU and these
countries.

On whether the three countries could ever be in the European Union
Milan Cabrnoch stated that "it depends on how we look at the European
Union. If we look at the EU as a voluntary and mutually beneficial
union of countries which have a common interest in the free flow of
capital, goods, services and persons… I believe that nothing should
prevent these countries to become one day members of such a community
based on these four freedoms – if they fulfil the criteria". Mr
Kirilov said that the EU "hasn’t been active enough so far" and "it
should contribute to much bigger presence of the EU in the region". He
noted that the eruption of the Russia – Georgia conflict had made it
imperative for the EU to involve itself more actively in the region.

He also believes Europe should do more to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh
dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Apart from conflict resolution, Milan Cabrnoch underlined the
importance of "energy security, support to democracy, the safeguarding
of human rights and freedom of media", official website of European
Parliament reported.