OXFORD, England—The European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Ambassador Herbert Salber, reaffirmed the commitment of the European Union to support the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Salber was addressing a one-day conference on “The impact of international and regional developments on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement process,” held on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Oxford University, Commonspace.eu reports.
The Conference was jointly organized by the British non-governmental organization, LINKS, and the Russian and Eurasian Studies Centre at St. Antony’s College, Oxford.
Salber also reiterated that the position of the EU in the conflict is to support the Minsk process, rather than replace or undermine it. He gave “two simple reasons” for close EU involvement. Firstly, the fact that the conflict is located in the EU neighborhood gives Europe a “historically and philosophically strong stake.” Secondly, “if one day there would be a solution, then many eyes would be on Brussels, and expecting the EU to make not only a substantial financial contribution, but also a contribution in security arrangements.”
Ambassador Salber called on the sides in the conflict to approach the negotiations with a renewed sense of urgency. He emphasized that the international community cannot resolve the conflict by itself: “the parties must mobilize the political will.”
Sabler, who took up the South Caucasus job in July, stated his desire to visit Nagorno-Karabakh. He hoped that the political conditions for European diplomats to visit Nagorno-Karabakh could be created soon. “The representative of the EU should be able to say: ‘I saw what is happening there with my own eyes, and had the opportunity to talk to people.’”
Speaking about the international dimension of the conflict, Ambassador Salber stated that “Moscow has a very specific role to play,” while acknowledging that productive regional cooperation seems a long way off. He referred to concrete improvements to the situation in the Caucasus region that could be brought about as a result of a satisfactory arrangement with Russia, such as reconnecting the North and South Caucasus via the railway running through Abkhazia.
God bless America. They always plug in a “business deal” to sucker the players. I suppose the West will expect the Armenians of NK to give up all its war gains for a Railway Station along the north-south Route. There are two sane options for NK, in my opinion. Since Armenia has joined the Eurasian (Russian) Economic Union, Karabagh should propose joining the European Union alliance but with a guaranteed internationally recognized independence, or Join Armenia in an alliance only. I, like everyone else wishes for an eventual unity with Armenia. However, an independent NK on the international political scene, would be much more beneficial. Two votes at the UN, for one example. Perhaps a federated Abhazia with an Armenian portion voting with Armenia and NK. Why not talk about the big Elephant in the Abhazian room? There are more Armenians in Abhazia than ethnic Abhazians. And, the Abhazians are underrepresenting the Armenians. That situation won’t last long.
Forget it. We do not need you nor your money. The hell with you and your best wishes. Enough of this lip service to Turkey and Azerbaijan.