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Stress in policy of South Caucasus countries should be shifted from
conflicts themselves to economic cooperation, Peter Semneby says
2008-01-14 20:27:00
ArmInfo. The unresolved conflicts in the South Caucasus region, which
arose from the USSR's collapse, hinder the establishment of stability,
EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby said at
an international conference entitled "Wider Black Sea Region: Prospects
of International and Regional Security" in Yerevan.
Determining the further steps towards development of the region,
Semneby noted that the countries of the region should strive for common
goals, including consolidation and stability, ensuring of mechanisms to
receive tangible benefits, as well as holding of institutional reforms.
The diplomat said that at the moment, the dominant in the policy of the
region's countries is the conflicts and not the benefit the parties may
receive in case the conflicts are settled. He added that the stresses
in the policy should be shifted towards the economical vector and
cooperation. Stating the economic progress in the region, Peter Semneby
said that there are problems here, which don't result from economic
unfavorable conditions, nevertheless, are directly connected with
security issues. The EU representative added that the difficulties are
also connected with the borders' blockade in the region, which prevents
from using all the potential of the region and hinders extra
investments. "These problems present a real challenge for the EU,
taking into consideration EU's growing interest in the South Caucasus
region. The region became closer with Bulgaria's and Romania's entrance
in the structure", the diplomat said. He added that the region may be
viewed as one whole only when institutional reforms in the sphere of
freedom of expression or human rights are made in all the countries of
the region simultaneously. Moreover, P. Semneby said that EU recently
started to establish more disciplined and institutional relations with
the partners of the region. In particular, EU develops cooperation with
these countries within the frames of "New European Neighborhood
Policy". Relations also develop with Russia and Turkey.
"These are EU's first steps on the way of stage-by-stage development,
however, inclusion of our structure in these process is perspective",
he emphasized.
conflicts themselves to economic cooperation, Peter Semneby says
2008-01-14 20:27:00
ArmInfo. The unresolved conflicts in the South Caucasus region, which
arose from the USSR's collapse, hinder the establishment of stability,
EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby said at
an international conference entitled "Wider Black Sea Region: Prospects
of International and Regional Security" in Yerevan.
Determining the further steps towards development of the region,
Semneby noted that the countries of the region should strive for common
goals, including consolidation and stability, ensuring of mechanisms to
receive tangible benefits, as well as holding of institutional reforms.
The diplomat said that at the moment, the dominant in the policy of the
region's countries is the conflicts and not the benefit the parties may
receive in case the conflicts are settled. He added that the stresses
in the policy should be shifted towards the economical vector and
cooperation. Stating the economic progress in the region, Peter Semneby
said that there are problems here, which don't result from economic
unfavorable conditions, nevertheless, are directly connected with
security issues. The EU representative added that the difficulties are
also connected with the borders' blockade in the region, which prevents
from using all the potential of the region and hinders extra
investments. "These problems present a real challenge for the EU,
taking into consideration EU's growing interest in the South Caucasus
region. The region became closer with Bulgaria's and Romania's entrance
in the structure", the diplomat said. He added that the region may be
viewed as one whole only when institutional reforms in the sphere of
freedom of expression or human rights are made in all the countries of
the region simultaneously. Moreover, P. Semneby said that EU recently
started to establish more disciplined and institutional relations with
the partners of the region. In particular, EU develops cooperation with
these countries within the frames of "New European Neighborhood
Policy". Relations also develop with Russia and Turkey.
"These are EU's first steps on the way of stage-by-stage development,
however, inclusion of our structure in these process is perspective",
he emphasized.