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TEXT OF A REPORT BY OSCE REP ON KARABAKH CONFLICT PUBLICIZED

Politics Materials 18 July 2005 21:40 (UTC +04:00)
TEXT OF A REPORT BY OSCE REP ON KARABAKH CONFLICT PUBLICIZED

The Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE publicized on Monday a text of a report В"A Golden Opportunity вЂ" Some Ideas on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflictВ" by Goran Lennmarker, a special representative on the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The report was considered in a July session of the PA OSCE in
Washington.

Negotiations on a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh-conflict are under way between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The OSCE Minsk-group provides the format for the current negotiations and is supportive in the process.

The alternative of a new war is unthinkable. It would bring new misery, new refugees, and more dead and injured. Whatever trust there is will be lost, the document underlined.

Lennmarker proposed to use international norms and the values of Europe. The rules and the standards of Europe, as identified by the commitments agreed to by participating states in the European Institutions, have been tested and adopted in many countries.

Experience from European integration points to four central elements that must be satisfied. First: participating countries must feel that their national security is not at risk.

A secure neighbour means security for oneself. Second: high standards of democracy, human rights, and minority rights must be respected. This makes it possible to develop trust in the governments of other countries.

Undemocratic governments are inherently unstable. Third: economic integration builds a common strong interdependence through shared prosperity, and this is the most solid basis for development, since it affects the whole population.

There are no reasons why the citizens of Armenia and Azerbaijan should not enjoy a good European standard of living. Fourth: freedom of movement for individuals further underpins integration, particularly for young people.

According to rapporteur, examining wider perspectives, Armenia and Azerbaijan could strive to build, together with Georgia, a common area characterized by security, democracy, and prosperity. The authorities of the three countries in the South Caucasus are encouraged to accept this offer of integration and to take an active role in developing it to the extent they deem desirable for their countries.

The document notes the vitality of the reestablishment of roads and railways between Armenia and Azerbaijan. There must be secure links between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh and between Nakhchivan and Azerbaijan proper.

Touching upon the status of Nagorno-Karabakh Lenmarker noted that finding of a resolution to the problems by Armenia and Azerbaijan on base of modern integration would simplify the search of the solution to the problem. Opening of borders and establishment of integrated economy would diminish the role of a control over the territory and lessen the debates.

The same time Lennmarker reminded that Azerbaijan would like to grant Nagorno-Karabakh with the higher status of autonomy with the experience of the European countries.

Nagorno-Karabakh should provided with an opportunity of maintenance of its being, while the population ought to be convinced in maximum protection of rights through the reliable and independent legal system of Azerbaijan. Financial support would be required for ensuring any kind of higher autonomy, the document underlines.

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