CATHERINE ASHTON SPEECH ON NAGORNY KARABAKH
AZG DAILY
08-07-2011
EU; Karabakh issue Update: 2011-07-08 00:23:44 (GMT +04:00)
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and
Vice President of the European Commission Speech on Nagorny Karabakh
European Parliament
Strasbourg, 6 July 2011
Honourable Members, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am grateful to have this opportunity to exchange views on the
Nagorny Karabakh conflict.
When I – along with Presidents Van Rompuy and Barroso – met with
President Medvedev at the EU-Russia summit in Nizhny – Novgorod on
9 June, he was optimistic about the possibilities for a breakthrough
at the Kazan meeting.
Much work had been done by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and the
parties to make progress towards an agreement on the Basic Principles,
the first step in a process leading to the drafting of a formal peace
agreement, and then its implementation.
We made clear to President Medvedev that we fully support his personal
mediation efforts, and the work of the Minsk Group.
The Deauville statement of Presidents Obama, Medvedev and Sarkozy made
clear that the time had now come for an agreement, failing which the
parties’ commitment to a solution would be questioned.
Regrettably, despite strong messages at the highest level, the expected
breakthrough at Kazan on 24 June did not materialise.
President Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Sargisyan of Armenia
did not take this opportunity to reach a compromise.
Admittedly, relations between the two countries are difficult. I
recently met the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in
Bratislava, and I have no illusions about the complexity of the
negotiations. The Co-Chairs keep me and the EEAS fully informed of
their work and the many difficulties they face.
I was also briefed in Vilnius last Friday by the Lithuanian Foreign
Minister, Audronius Azubalis, who is now the Chairman in Office of
the OSCE.
Nevertheless, efforts to find an agreement on the Basic Principles must
continue, and I welcome the fact that both parties have re-committed
themselves to the diplomatic process and to finding a peaceful
solution.
But we need to see more than that in the coming months. The parties
need to redouble their efforts to find an agreement before the end
of this year. This would then happen before domestic priorities take
over in 2012: elections in Armenia in 2012, and in Azerbaijan in 2013.
Indeed, a continuation of the status quo is unacceptable, as is any
effort to resolve the conflict or influence the negotiations by using
force, or even the threat of force.
The peaceful settlement of the Nagorny Karabakh conflict is a key
strategic interest of the European Union.
A settlement of the conflict would transform the South Caucasus region.
It would pave the way towards political and regional stability,
and new economic opportunities.
Borders could open not only between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but also
between Armenia and Turkey.
Roads, railways and pipelines could take the shortest route, and tie
the countries of the region more closely together.
And the South Caucasus could finally become what it should have been
already – a gateway between Europe and Asia.
All of this is clearly in the interest of the European Union, too.
The EU is ready and committed to step up its efforts in support of
the work of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs.
The negotiations have been going on since 1994 in the current format.
An agreement on the Basic Principles is within reach.
The nature of the additional support that we can provide is of course a
matter for consultation with the Minsk Group Co-Chairs and the parties.
And I can assure you that we are holding regular consultations with
them on this subject.
Let me be very clear, however. What happens in these final negotiations
matters greatly to the European Union, and will play a role in the
way we shape our policy towards the two countries concerned.
On my behalf, Miroslav Lajcak travelled to both countries last month,
and made this point very clearly.
We hope to see progress by the time of the planned Eastern Partnership
Summit in September in Warsaw.
I also see clear possibilities for enhanced EU engagement outside
the negotiations themselves.
We are already supporting confidence building and outreach activities
to people on both sides, often through civil society organisations
who promote people-to-people contacts, including in the framework of
the Council of Europe. But we can do more here.
I also believe that the European Union should be prepared to take on
significant responsibilities in the implementation of a settlement,
once we reach this stage, in close co-operation with other parts of
the international community.
There will much to do, from reconstruction, mine clearance and
refugee and IDP returns to the promotion of economic recovery and
security support.
I also recognize that there are other partners who play a significant
role in the South Caucasus region. For instance, the EU needs to work
closely with regional actors like Turkey.
I have proposed the appointment of a new Special Representative for
the South Caucasus to take these different work strands forward,
in close consultation with the Minsk Group co-chairs.
Perhaps our most important contribution, however, will be to continue
strengthen our bilateral relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The new European Neighbourhood Policy communication that we just
discussed sets out an ambitious agenda for the countries of the
South Caucasus:
New Association Agreements,
Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas, including improved access
to the EU’s internal market;
Increased and facilitated mobility, especially for students and
business;
Increased sectoral co-operation and participation in EU programmes;
increased support for civil society and the open society.
Our overall objective is to help our neighbouring countries build a
comprehensive reform agenda.
In this context, we will of course be looking at ways in which our
bilateral co-operation can be geared to support conflict settlement.
Stefan Fule recently visited Armenia to discuss how to take our
relationship forward and build a common, positive and forward-looking
agenda together.
More generally, I also believe more confident, attractive and modern
countries with ambitious reform agendas are in a stronger position
to overcome the difficult legacies of the past.
Ultimately this is a choice that the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan
need to make themselves, in the best interests of the people they
represent.
We know which choice we would like them to make: it is the choice of
compromise and peace.