Brussels, 18/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament calls on the EU to intensify its relations with the three countries of the South Caucasus - Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan - not only with regard to energy but also from the economic and political points of view. Due to their extraordinary geopolitical situation (the Caucasus is at a crossroads between Russia, Iran and Turkey), the EU must consider “of the utmost importance, therefore, that cooperation with the South Caucasus be given the highest priority, not least in matters relating to energy”, Lydie Polfer (ALDE, Luxembourg) states in her report on the Caucasus which was adopted on 17 January in Strasbourg by 567 votes to 25 and 23 abstentions. Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan are covered by European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and, since November 2006, have concluded bilateral action plans with the Commission. MEPs consider the ENP for these countries must be improved and made more effective. On the basis of the individual merits of each of the three countries, the Council and the Commission should contemplate concluding new enhanced agreements with these countries, the report states. MEPs, however, stress that unequivocal commitment on the part of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to respect human rights and fundamental liberties is of the utmost importance in their future relations with the EU.
At the economic and commercial level, the EP calls on the Commission to study the feasibility of a free trade area with Georgia and Armenia. In its view, an agreement of this kind would be beneficial to all parties. Azerbaijan, which is not yet a member of the WTO, is not mentioned in this context but MEPs request that the EU actively support its access to the World Trade Organisation. In the meantime, the Commission and the Council are invited to implement measures aimed at ensuring that Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan benefit as much as they can from the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP). The EP also calls on the three countries to step up the fight against corruption and to redouble efforts to ensure there is a favourable investment and business climate.
The EP also highlights regional cooperation between the three countries, which must be an integral part of EU/Caucasus rapprochement. MEPs take the view that the ENP provides an excellent framework for regional and sub-regional cooperation with a view to creating a true area of security, democracy and stability, not only in the South Caucasus but also in the Black Sea region.
It is essential to resolve the “frozen conflicts” in the region (Upper Karabakh, Abkhazia, South Ossetia) for stability in the region and, as a result of this, in the EU neighbourhood, MEPs say. With reference to Russia, the EP rejects any attempt by external powers to create exclusive spheres of influence and calls on Moscow to abstain from opposing any EU intervention in the management of conflicts and in peace-keeping operations in South Caucasus.
On 17 January, the EP also adopted the report by Roberta Anastase (EPP-ED, Romania) on the Black Sea region. MEPs called for the setting in place of a truly regional dimension adapted to this area based on “concrete proposals” to promote regional cooperation. MEPs stress the importance of Russia and Turkey being involved in the efforts of regional cooperation and the creation of a free trade area for the region. (H.B.)