July 5, 2005 - 07:44 AMT
LENNMARKER: «GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH ISSUE AVAILABLE»
Today there is a «golden opportunity» for peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh issue based on the win-win outcome, when Armenia and Azerbaijan will take least losses. The parties should intensify the talks over the issue. OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) special representative for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict Goran Lennmarker made a statement on this at the PA annual session held in Washington. As reported by OSCE PA press counsellor Jan Jooren, Lennmarker presented his report over the issue to the delegation heads. The document reflected the rapporteur's ideas over securing a peace resolution of the conflict under the aegis of the OSCE Minsk Group. In his speech Lennmarker underscored, «the Karabakh conflict is not frozen. Many people annually die at the contact line between the parties.» He also remarked, «there is virtually no alternative to the peaceful resolution. It is absolutely necessary to solve the conflict and put an end to the personal economic, social problems of both parties.» The Swedish MP proposed not to base on the respective European experience, when «democracy and integration form the foundation for securing final peace.» «Powerful European and international institutions are ready to assist Armenia and Azerbaijan at any moment. It is a generous offer and it should be useful,» he emphasized. Lennmarker also noted the activities of the Armenian and Azeri parliamentary delegations were very helpful. «Once a peace agreement has been finalized by the two Governments, the parliamentary dimension becomes invaluable in informing the public and in ensuring the implementation.» It should be noted that Goran Lennmarker was appointed to the office of the OSCE PA special representative for Nagorno Karabakh in June 2002 and has visited Armenia and Azerbaijan several times since then. He has also held meetings with representatives of various public sectors of the parties, including refugees, the Yerkir newspaper reported.