Romanian MP: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is great hindrance for European Neighborhood Policy in Southern Caucasus

Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug. 13 /Trend E. Mehdiyev/ The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a great hindrance for the European Neighborhood Policy in the Southern Caucasus, the Member of the European Parliament (Romania), member of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament Catalin-Sorin Ivan told when answering to a survey of The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS). According to him, even in the first Resolution adopted on Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh by the UN Security Council on April 30th, 1993 the withdrawal of the Armenian army from the occupied Azerbaijani territories was demanded. The following Resolutions have always renewed this request. Therefore, the first step, which is the withdrawal of the army, must come from Armenia. "The IDPs have the right to return to their homeland. The UN Resolutions speak a clear language: Nagorno-Karabakh and the seven occupied regions belong to Azerbaijan. As soon as the Resolutions are implemented, the IDPs can return," the MP said. The Member of the European Parliament said that the Eastern Partnership can only function if the partner states are peaceful and stable with each other. "Also the Armenians should have an interest in ending the policy of occupation as soon as possible. Mediators are necessary in every conflict, although the fundamental willingness of the conflicting parties themselves to negotiate is the most important thing. Armenia and Azerbaijan are both members of the OSCE, together with the Minsk Group they have deployed a board for the resolution of the dispute between the two states. Also the European Union is represented by a special representative in the Southern Caucasus. The most important stimulus for new peace negotiations would be Armenia announcing to withdrawal from the occupied areas," the Member of the European Parliament said. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az