EU ready to promote Karabakh settlementJuly 22, 2011 - 19:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union is likely to promote its participation in the Karabah issue and is ready to provide financial assistance to promote settlement and reconstruct the region, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule said in an interview with Radio Liberty. “We invest more and more to encourage confidence-building measures both in Transdnistria and Karabakh. But it’s the beginning, since Brussels can afford more as commitment and willingness to resolve the conflict have grown,” the commissioner noted. Stefan Fule said Brussels is committed to resolving the conflict, at the same time noting that the Minsk Group-mediated talks will continue. He noted that replacement of one of the co-chairs is not considered. He thinks the sides and the Minsk Group must enable larger involvement of the EU. He asserted the EU’s commitment to and ability for capacity building. The European official said besides confidence-building measures, the EU may now and in future provide a significant package of assistance when the sides reach a lasting agreement. The assistance package will include measures which will promote social and economic development. If necessary, the EU may reconstruct infrastructures to connect some regions to other countries, as well as enhance the role of the civil society and other forces which may be useful to reconciliation, the commissioner told Radio Liberty. The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |