The EU has a chance to contribute to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, along with the OSCE efforts, Anna van Densky wrote in an article published by Eureporter independent European publication.
“Next to the formal ongoing negotiating process that has been advancing for more than two decades, much-needed confidence between Armenia and Azerbaijan is still lacking,” the article says.
“In spite of four UN resolutions, the conflict remains unsettled,” she wrote. “However, within Azerbaijan political leadership, there is an understanding that diplomatic routes to finding a solution are not exhausted.”
“The OSCE Minsk Group’s slow pace is bringing more actors to an idea that the efforts of a formal institute such as the Minsk Group should be reinforced by the more active involvement of civil societies in confidence-building measures,” the author wrote.
She wrote that Europe has unrivalled experience of reconciliation and integration.
“The EU’s interest in settling the conflict goes beyond an interest in Caspian Sea energy resources that are abundant in oil and gas – the security and stability of the neighborhood is at stake,” she wrote. “There are also other significant elements for the EU, making its engagement in the conflict resolution so vital.”
She wrote that if, previously, Turkey was a model of a secular state with an Islamic tradition, now the honor certainly goes to Azerbaijan – multicultural and multiethnic, it has created a respectful environment for different communities, including Jews.
The author wrote that the EU’s Neighbourhood Policy and later Eastern Partnership have declared conflict resolutions as their priority, however so far no considerable steps have been made to implement such intentions.
“Almost traditionally, the EU is pointing towards the OSCE Minsk group as being the responsible institute, but this attitude is now definitely outdated,” she wrote. “The complexity of the protracted Nagorno-Karabach conflict requires comprehensive approach to deal with emotions, prejudices and traumas.”
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the UN Security Council’s four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.
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