Azernews.Az

Armenia should focus on energy projects in the region, rather than on conflicts, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly`s special representative on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict said during a visit to Baku.
Goran Lennmarker, speaking at a meeting with members of the Azerbaijani delegation at the OSCE PA on Friday, said that since Armenia is a small country with a weak economy in the South Caucasus region, its authorities should place an emphasis on boosting its economy, and the best way to do this is to participate in regional energy projects.
Lennmarker visited Azerbaijan as part of his tour of the region to study the current state of talks on the Garabagh settlement. In conclusion, he will prepare a report on the outcome of the visit and submit it to an OSCE PA session due in Vienna February 19-20.
Further, Lennmarker stressed the importance of finding a solution to the Garabagh problem.
"I reported three years ago that a `golden opportunity` had emerged for settling the conflict. This opportunity is still open," he said, but added that it was unclear how long this would be the case, therefore, the conflicting sides should take advantage of this opportunity.
The special envoy emphasized that a negotiated solution was the only option to resolve the long-standing dispute, and said both parties should make concessions to reach that goal. "Both sides will not be able to achieve a 100% result regarding the conflict settlement."
He noted that the OSCE Minsk Group - a team of diplomats brokering the peace process - was seeking a neutral and mutually beneficial solution.
Bahar Muradova, Vice-Speaker and head of the Azerbaijani delegation at the OSCE PA, said Azerbaijan was deeply concerned over their being no resolution to the Garabagh conflict. She emphasized that the OSCE and European countries should be interested in resolving the conflict as much as they are interested in capitalizing on the resource-rich South Caucasus republic`s energy potential, as ensuring security in the turbulent region serves the interests of Europe as well.
"We would like to take advantage of the European model in the settlement of conflicts," the vice-speaker added.
Underlining the importance of the South Caucasus on the world stage, Lennmarker said the European Union`s having paid little attention to the region in the past was a mistake.
"The situation has changed now. The EU is currently trying to intensify its relations with the South Caucasus states. The European New Neighborhood Policy (ENNP) was launched for that purpose," he said.
Lennmarker emphasized that integration between the 27-member bloc and regional countries should not be strictly technical, but this requires a change of people`s mindset.
"Europe is moving slowly on this decision and the rapprochement of the South Caucasus toward Europe is gradually taking place," Lennmarker said.
Lennmarker called on the South Caucasus states to step up regional cooperation, saying interaction among Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia was pivotal to ensuring a bright future for the region. Regional developments, in particular Russia`s incursion in the Georgian rebel region of South Ossetia, should encourage unity of the South Caucasus states, he said.
"Unity of the South Caucasus states should be strong in the future," the special envoy said, noting that these countries should draw closer to Europe and assist each other to defend their independence.
Lennmarker noted that among regional states, Azerbaijan stands out for its rapid economic growth, therefore, it has a great responsibility in promoting the expansion of regional cooperation.
"Azerbaijan should play a special role in the area in ensuring peace in the South Caucasus. The more it develops economically, the greater responsibility it assumes," he added.