May Nagorno Karabakh Appear Under The Aegis of EU?

"I believe that presently perhaps the most acceptable way would be if Nagorno Karabakh appeared under the aegis of the EU until the resolution of the conflict (up to a referendum on the status of Nagorno Karabakh). Nagorno Karabakh, historic Armenian territory disputed with Azerbaijan, would become a special area of the EU where the laws of the EU would be valid,"Â said Hrant Melkumian, the leader of the Communist Party of Artsakh in commenting on the recent developments.

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He thinks this approach is justified in terms of sustaining stability and peace in the region (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia) and development of the country's economy, and finds that if the members of the European Union are interested in "having a positive precedent of conflict resolution,"Â they should not miss this exceptional chance.

Mr. Melkumian thinks that despite the statements of the mediators that they are ready to accept the agreement achieved by the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan and reach a lasting solution, in this stage there cannot be significant progress because the lasting fruitless negotiations do not inspire optimism. And the defensive factor is, according to him, the main obstacle. "And in order for the conflict parties not to feel obliged in the talks,"Â the political scientist considers the variant of making the area of Nagorno Karabakh subject to the EU as quite realistic.

The statement of the leader of the NKR Communist Party contains interesting suggestions on overcoming the defensive syndrome. The problem acquires more importance when the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby states that the EU is likely to promote contact with Nagorno Karabakh, which may facilitate a peace settlement.

Hrant Melkumian reminded that in 1988, at the height of the Karabakh movement there was a similar proposal on temporary unification of Nagorno Karabakh with the Russian Federation, which unfortunately failed because the Armenian party was not interested. "This proposal remained as an idea."Â With regard to the EU, Hrant Melkumian thinks the idea is quite realistic, and this organization can be trusted, "because the EU is a union of states based on democratic principles, consensus, and has an authoritative parliament."Â

With regard to the coordination of the return of refugees, Hrant Melkumian said, "I am not against that the Azerbaijanis return to live in Karabakh. However, Karabakh will receive as many Azerbaijani refugees as displaced Armenians will return to Azerbaijan,"Â said the leader of the NKR Communist Party. - By artsakhtert.com/