President of European Parliament: All parties should seek for a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as soon as possible on the basis of international law

This month you are visiting the South Caucasus region. What meeting will be held during your visit to Azerbaijan, what issues will be discussed?

My message for this visit is about engagement, looking for mutually beneficial solutions, enlarging and strengthening the area of security and stability on the European continent, our common home. I´ll be meeting with parliamentary factions of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan, with Mr Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan , Mr Ogtay Asadov, Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan. I will hold talks with the civil society and the opposition representatives.

On 3rd of May the first meeting of EURONEST was held in Brussels. What are your expectations from this newly created structure? Will EURONEST be able to become an effective tool to develop EU parliament relations with parliament of Azerbaijan?

I definitely hope so. Euronest, the landmark of the Eastern Partnership, becomes tangible reality. It aims to bring together experiences, ideas, best practices and shared values, all in a democratic spirit. By being closer to our neighbors we are stronger together on the global stage. Our cooperation will strengthen stability and prosperity, bringing lasting benefits to citizens. I am looking forward to Euronest delivering on expectations. It should be a lively forum where people and ideas meet to find solutions to the problems of citizens.

In your speech at the first meeting of EURONEST you stated that it can be a ground for dialogue and solving a range of issues including unresolved conflicts. So in your opinion, can EURONEST meetings promote to the progress on Nagorno-Karabakh issue?

Euronest can help in establishing dialogue between the parties to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We want to bring parliamentarians from both countries and establish dialogue. We are keen to support the strengthening of relations among all the partner countries’ members of the Eastern Partnership, and not only between each of them and the EU.

In spite of the fact that European Parliament recognizes territorial integrity of Azerbaijan in its resolutions, some members of European Parliament are making visits to Azerbaijani occupied territory – Nagorno-Karabakh without getting permission. What is your attitude to such visits?

We do not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as an entity. We should never forget about the basic needs of common people, wherever they are living. Promoting people-to-people contacts, easing trade and travel conditions, extending a hand of help rather than creating new walls has always been the policy of the European Parliament. Nevertheless, individual visits without a clear institutional mandate to disputed areas cannot be helpful for the promotion of peaceful settlement or for increasing mutual understanding. All parties should seek for a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as soon as possible on the basis of international law. Real efforts are needed to pave the way for a lasting peace and it should be avoided by both sides’ provocative policies and rhetoric, inflammatory statements and manipulation of history. I encourage a mutually satisfactory solution which serves the interests of all.


/APA/