European parliament to mull Karabakh resolution

The EU Association Agreements with Azerbaijan and Armenia must help resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by peaceful means, two draft resolutions of the European Parliament, to be placed for voting on April 18, said.

The resolution stressed that the unresolved conflict prevents the full realization of the European Neighbourhood Policy.

The relations between Azerbaijan and the EU are based on the Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation signed in Luxembourg in 1996. It entered into force in 1999.

In 2009, Foreign Ministers of the EU countries provided the EU Commission with a mandate to start negotiations to conclude the EU bilateral association agreements with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. These agreements will be a new practical instrument which will replace the bilateral action plans.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France and the U.S. - are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.


/Trend/