Parliamentary questions
31 May 2011 O-000141/2011
Question for oral answer
to the Commission
Rule 115
Norica Nicolai, Ivo Vajgl, Kristiina Ojuland, Marielle De Sarnez, Marietje Schaake, Olle Schmidt, on behalf of the ALDE Group
Subject: Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh
In recent months progress towards finding a solution to the protracted conflict in the Nagorno Karabakh region has been limited despite the number of recent high-level meetings committing both sides to resolving all contentious issues relating to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict by peaceful means and strengthening the ceasefire regime in the conflict zone.
There are reports that new armaments have been purchased by both Armenia and Azerbaijan. This atmosphere is not conducive to creating greater reconciliation and provokes increased tensions in the whole of the South Caucasus.
The Commission, in its Communication on ENP (25 May 2011), expresses its preparedness to ‘step up its involvement in formats where it is not yet represented, e.g. the OSCE Minsk Group on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict’. The Communication also refers to the EU's intention ‘to enhance its support for confidence-building and outreach to breakaway territories, for international efforts and structures related to the conflicts, and, once that stage is reached, for the implementation of settlements.’
Has the HR/VP prepared concrete proposals on how the EU intends to pursue a greater role in the OSCE Minsk Group and enhance its support for a sustainable solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict? What steps does the European Union intend to take in order to prevent any escalation of the conflict? Has the EU developed a contingency strategy should one of the conflicting parties breach the Bishkek ceasefire agreement?
