On Thursday 20 May 2010, the European Parliament renewed its commitment to greater engagement by the European Union in the South Caucasus as it adopted a new resolution on EU policy in the region [1]. This is the first resolution dedicated to the South Caucasus countries since the launch, in 2009, of the EU’s landmark Eastern Partnership policy [2].
AGBU Europe welcomes the Parliament’s interest in the region. As most observers consider that renewed war over the small territory of Nagorno-Karabakh is becoming increasingly likely, the resolution’s recommendations on the subject are likely to be widely discussed.
AGBU Europe welcomes MEPs’ support for the OSCE’s Minsk Group mediating between the parties and their call for greater direct EU engagement in the peace process. The Parliament calls for dialogue between the parties and for the implementation of confidence-building measures with EU support. Crucially, in that regard, the EP also invites “all parties to fully engage in the multilateral cooperation of the Eastern Partnership without linking it to the final solution of the conflicts”, a reference to Azerbaijan’s systematic boycott of Armenia and Karabakh, which it seeks to impose even within EU-sponsored multilateral fora.
The Parliament also supports direct EU engagement with Karabakh, including “aid and information dissemination” to the population. The EU has so far avoided engaging with Karabakh society, due to Azerbaijan’s opposition and has no contact with the territory (see background below).
According to the Parliament, the EU should furthermore help develop “the necessary security guarantees in a period of transition” for the success of peace negotiations over Karabakh. The Parliament also calls for both sides to create conditions favourable to the return of refugees and IDPs and to recognize their rights, including their property rights [3].
AGBU Europe particularly welcomes Parliament’s call for greater EU involvement in promoting regional cooperation and conflict resolution in the region. Following the vote, Nicolas Tavitian said, “the Parliament supports policies to reduce tensions and contribute to security on all sides in the South Caucasus. This is very important for Karabakh and it is the only road to peace. We hope the EU’s executive branches, the Commission and Council, will follow that call and take action.”
It is curious however that Parliament should have asked that “the position according to which Nagorno-Karabakh includes all occupied Azerbaijani lands surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh should rapidly be abandoned”. AGBU underlines that the government of Karabakh holds no such position, nor does Armenia. These territories came under the control of Karabakh troops following the war and are among the key elements under negotiation within the Minsk Group.
European Parliament resolutions are non-binding recommendations. The EU’s Council of Ministers and Commission ultimately determine and execute foreign policy. Nevertheless, as the only democratic forum to debate EU policy, Parliament debates are important and influential in EU policy formulation.
1. Link to resolution:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P7-TA-2010-0193+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN
2. The Parliament is strongly supportive of the opportunities which the Eastern Partnership offers to deepen the relationship between the EU and the three South Caucasus countries, notably through Association Agreements to be negotiated in the near future. The Parliament also urges on the EU in its efforts to contribute to the rule of law, effective democratisation, good governance and conflict resolution in the region.
3. A great many Armenians had to leave Azerbaijan following pogroms and violence from 1988 onwards, and Azeris left territories surrounding Karabakh after the retreat of the Azerbaijani army in 1993 and early 1994.
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