TODAY.AZ / Politics

Javier Solana: "There is no military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. After the Georgia crisis, this should be clear to all..."

02 February 2009 [10:56] - TODAY.AZ
Day.Az interview with EU senior representative on issues of general external policy and security policy Javier Solana.
- Mr.Solana, how do you assess the political situation in Azerbaijan today, especially the state of democracy and provision of freedom of expression and pluralism in Azerbaijan?

- I think both Azerbaijan and the European Union want to develop closer relations, and this on many fronts, from political and economic to co-operation on regional security. As regards the situation in Azerbaijan today, we support the reform agenda announced by President Aliev in October, which focuses on democratisation and civic participation, and we of course are ready to help with its implementation. These and many other issues, like for instance the media situation, are part of the European Neighbourhood Action Plan which we have agreed with Azerbaijan and which we will continue to implement together.

- You have called on the Azerbaijani government to review decision to halt transmission of Liberty, Voice of America and BBC radio stations on the local frequencies. Can the EU put pressure on the Azerbaijani government in this issue and which solution is more favourable in this case?

- We regretted the decision not to renew the broadcasting licences, because it deprives listeners of a valuable alternative source of news and information. We think there is still room to review this decision and that a solution can be found. I think this would be in everyone’s interest

- What can you say about the overall situation in the South Caucasus region? To what extent is it stable, considering the five-day war in Georgia, Russia’s position in this issue and its possible projection on the situation around Nagorno Karabakh in case hostilities are resumed between Azerbaijan and Armenia?

- I think the crisis in Georgia has been a wake-up call for the entire South Caucasus region. It has shown that unresolved conflicts can be very dangerous even after many years, and that military action is not a solution. It has also shown how the countries in the region are interdependent and vulnerable, and that there is need to fundamentally change the dynamic in the region.

After the EU’s rapid response to the August crisis and our strong engagement on the ground in Georgia, there should be no doubt about the importance we attach to the South Caucasus region. The proposal for an “Eastern Partnership” is further evidence of this.

We want to work closely with the countries in the region, as well as with Russia, Turkey and the US. Maintaining good relations and constructive dialogue with all countries in the region seems to us as the best way towards stability, security and progress. Let me stress here the important role of Turkey and how encouraged we are by the recent steps to improve relations between Turkey and Armenia.

- Is the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict one of the main tasks of the European Union? Which diplomatic assistance can EU provide to Azerbaijan considering the fact that Russia, being a peacekeeper on the one hand, supplies Armenia with armament of a total of $800,000,000 free of charge thus violating the military balance between the conflict parties?

- There is no military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. After the Georgia crisis, this should be clear to all. In this spirit, we warmly welcomed that the Presidents of both Azerbaijan and Armenia committed themselves in Moscow last year to a peaceful settlement of the conflict. This new dynamic should be maintained with concrete actions and determination. The EU fully supports the OSCE Minsk Group efforts and remains ready to assist through confidence-building measures and people-to-people contacts. My representative Peter Semneby is working hard in this direction and he has my full support. We are confident that a viable, negotiated settlement to this conflict will contribute greatly to the region's stability, security and progress.

/Day.Az/

URL: http://www.today.az/news/politics/50433.html

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