"EU policy for South Caucasus must be bold in order to achieve its objectives"

The South Caucasus is not only a region in the immediate neighborhood of the EU (Romania and Bulgaria have a sea border with it), but a region of great strategic importance in political, economic and security terms. Therefore the EU`s main objective there should be to participate actively in its stabilization and to encourage the development of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia towards stability and democracy, to establish good neighborly relations and integration into the EU's policies.

The European parliament strongly supports all the initiatives which increase the EU's presence in the region, and in particular the most recent one the eastern partnership. Among other things, it offers a valuable framework for increased regional cooperation, the introduction of visa-free travel to the EU and the conclusion of comprehensive free trade agreements.
Certainly, this is a two way process that requires effort and dedication from both sides. It is in the vital interest of the three countries to continue their efforts towards further democratization. Good governance, political pluralism, the rule of law and respect for human rights are of paramount importance for determining their future relations with the EU.

Therefore, the EU should continue providing financial and technical assistance to them in order to promote these principles and processes within the framework of political conditionality.
The regions strategic geopolitical location, its increasing importance as an energy, transport and communications corridor connecting the Caspian region and Central Asia with Europe, and the growing EU preoccupation with energy security suggest a more active EU participation in the energy projects of the region, including the completion of the Nabucco pipeline project.

However, these ambitious EU policies can hardly be achieved when there is a big shadow over the region the unresolved conflicts in Georgia and Nagorno Karabakh. They are also a serious impediment for democratization, political stability and socioeconomic development. Unfortunately, it was owing to the 2008 war in Georgia that the EU realized it needs to play a more active role in the region as far as conflict prevention and conflict management are concerned. The deadlock situation due to these conflicts and the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty justify an increasingly proactive EU policy.

This is particularly valid for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, where the EU has been practically absent. Simply stating support for the work of the Minsk group at this stage is not enough if the EU takes seriously its new, more active role in foreign policy. The EU is the international mediator that is accepted by both sides and whose presence does not raise controversies. There is a need for the EU to lead the international efforts for rehabilitation and reconstruction in this conflict area by initiating reconciliation projects, people-to-people programmes and by sending a mission in the region once a political solution is found.

The conflicts in the region demand a special effort also with regards to the situation of the hundreds of thousands of displaced people, which has serious humanitarian consequences. The EU has the means and the experience to contribute to the creation of a more tolerant atmosphere in the South Caucasus. It should also draw from its own historical experience and show to the people from the region that they can live together in peace and prosperity and that they can restore the good relations and trust that historically existed. One of the main tasks for the EU is to try to persuade the leaders and the people of the region to support the peaceful initiatives, not the threats, not the tensions.


/AzerTAc/