(РђRKA) Between democratic processes and the Karabakh conflict there is an indirect link, chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Rene van der Linden stated at the news conference in Erevan, Trend reports.
According to him, if the sides of the conflict become full-fledged states, respecting human rights and ensuring the rule of law, it will create more favourable atmosphere for reaching the solution. The PACE head noted, there exist instances for that. “Thus, there is no a direct link, the democratization process is regarded separately as an independent process, but for the future reconciliation with neighbors it is also important”, Rene van der Linden added.
Head of the PACE spoke out against the CE to replace the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group. According to him, “it is a delicate and sensitive issue which, in the first instance, must be solved by the two states”.
Rene van der Linden noted. CE might be useful in the reconciliation process. In this connection, he promised to activate meetings between the Armenian and the Azerbaijani deputies. “Reconciliation begins with personal meetings and discussions of mutual interests”, head of the PACE added.
He also spoke out for the strengthening of the parliamentary diplomacy, as “in many cases it is easy to start with parliamentary contacts, then with governmental ones”. By this, the parliamentary diplomacy must not replace the diplomacy at the governmental level.
“We plan to play an independent role in the negotiation process, as it is in Chechnya”, Rene van der Linden said.