He thinks that a more active approach of the EU would be helpful to the efforts for the settlement of the conflict between Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
It is important for us to listen to and set up contact with all the parties of the conflict, he said, regretting that the contact has not been sufficient so far. During the news conference after his meeting with NR President Arkady Ghukassian Peter Semneby assured that the international community and the EU do not have a negative attitude towards the democratic process in Nagorno Karabakh. He stated that they acknowledge the high-level democratic culture in Karabakh, which is positive.
Meanwhile, he said they cannot accept some basic principles connected with the referendum, namely the referendum determines questions, including the status of Nagorno Karabakh, which must be settled through negotiations, the EU representative thinks. Peter Semneby did not visit Stepanakert because in the period of the referendum it might give rise to different interpretations. He said he is likely to visit Stepanakert soon, and expects a productive visit.
According to the EU envoy, it would be difficult to set up relations in conflict areas and settle the conflicts without the support of the international community. Peter Semneby hopes that the past few weeks of successful talks will continue during the upcoming election.
In answer to the question of a news reporter if the model of Kosovo could be applied to other conflicts, he said in the case of Kosovo the international community and the UN Council for Security took the initiative. Emphasizing that the self-determination of nations underlies the law of nations, the EU official said Kosovo is a singular case. - artsakhtert.com/
Posted January 4th, 2007 by Armen Hareyan
