The Need for an EU Strategy for South Caucasus
Friday, 21 May, 2010
The draft report of Evgeni Kirilov on "the Need for an EU Strategy for South Caucasus" explains the need for and recommends to the relevant EU institutions to devise a strategy of the EU towards the South Caucasus region. It points out that the EU`s main objective in the regions should be to encourage the development of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia towards peaceful, stable and democratic countries that are ready to establish good neighbourly relations and transform the South Caucasus into a region of sustainable peace and prosperity.
The deadlock situation in the region due to the two unresolved conflicts in Georgia and in Nagorno Karabakh and the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty justify an increasingly pro-active EU policy in the region. Taking into consideration the fact that solving the conflicts is the milestone for achieving stability and development in the region, the report starts with the security issues and the need for a peaceful resolution of the conflicts. It recognises that the status quo regarding the unresolved conflicts is unacceptable since they are volatile and dangerous and can be exploited at any time to increase tensions. The report makes concrete recommendations on how the EU should use its full potential to contribute to their peaceful solution by combining its soft power with firm approach and by using its rich experience from the Balkans and even from its engagement in South Ossetia. Concerning the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh the report recommends an EU mandate for the French Co-chair in the Minsk Group and possibly deploying an EU mission once an agreement is reached. Also stressed is the importance of the people-to-people contacts and all confidence-building and reconciliation measures that the Commission is elaborating and can elaborate in the conflict regions.
The second part of the report focuses on the progress of the three countries on their way to democratization. Underlined is the vital interest of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to continue their efforts towards further democratization. In this respect is highlighted mainly that the good governance, political pluralism, rule of law and respect for human rights are of paramount importance for determining the future relations of these three countries with the EU. The report supports the EU policy for providing financial and technical assistance to the countries in order to promote these principles and processes within the framework of political conditionality.
The third part of the report focuses on the economic cooperation and social development of the countries and their relations with the EU in these spheres - important preconditions for achieving stability in the region.
The report supports also one of the most recent EU initiatives for the region - the Eastern Partnership, the establishment of a joint parliamentary forum EURONEST and the process of association of the three countries with the EU. In the context of this new process of association the report suggests the introduction of visa-free travel, the conclusion of comprehensive free trade agreements of the countries with the EU and establishment of free trade area between themselves. The conclusion of free trade agreements with the countries of the region will not only lead to economic growth but can help increase foreign investments, create new jobs and eradicate poverty.
According to Evgeni Kirilov`s report the EU cooperation with the South Caucasus countries should be given a high priority also because of the strategic geopolitical location of the region. Its increasing importance as an energy, transport and communications corridor connecting the Caspian region and Central Asia with Europe and the growing EU preoccupation in the field of energy security suggest a more active EU participation in the energy projects in the region, including and in particularly as far as the completion of the Nabucco pipeline is concerned.
The report has be debated and voted at the European Parliament on May 20, 2010.
