Peaceful settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is a pre-condition for the development of the entire South-Caucasus region and the important element of security for the European continent, chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Rene van der Linden made such a statement on 23 August in Baku at the news conference on the results of his visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports.
In the opinion of the PACE chairman, successful integration of Azerbaijan into the European family is only possible under the condition of the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
В"PACE will do its utmost for the support of the both countries’ efforts on continuing the peaceful dialogue”, Linden noted, underscoring the importance of adherence of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia to the “peaceful way” of the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.
As an example Linden gave the history of the European countries, noting, he is the representative of the single generation of Europeans, which has not suffered the war. В"My father and grandfather saw the horrors of the war.
However, the far-sighted politicians of the 40s-50s of the 20th century could unify the efforts for the sake of the common flourishing of the continent”, he noted, having voiced the hope, that such wise political figures will be also found in the South Caucasus.
Commenting on the results of the negotiations in Armenia, the PACE chairman noted, during each meeting he emphasized the thought that Armenia due to the ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan, has slowed down its economic development.
В"Armenia is isolated, although it is located amidst the two rapidly developing countries, Turkey and Azerbaijan, and I repeatedly stressed in Erevan the thought of the necessity for the quickest solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, so that Armenia could also achieve such successful tempos of the development”, the PACE chairman underscored.
Replying the question on the PACE position in regard to the possibility of the “alternative way” for the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, Rene van der Linden noted, the unit headed by him, elaborates the position depending on the progress of the processes. В"I am confident, the negotiation process will bring its results and the Nagorno-Karabkh conflict will be solved peacefully”, he added in conclusion.
