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Nederlands Armeens Comité voor |
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European Armenian Federation PRESS RELEASE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT REAFFIRMS 1987 RESOLUTION ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE Brussels, BElgium - At its February 26, 2004 plenary session, the European Parliament voted for final adoption of the report authored by European Representative Per Gahrton (Green, Sweden) recommending an " EU policy towards the South Caucasus", announced the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy. Already reviewed and amended once by the European Assembly's Committee on Foreign Affairs, the report was again modified through amendment votes. The final version of the report included clarifications on several key issues such as Turkey's recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Azerbaijan's political exploitation of the refugee issue and resolution of the Karabagh conflict.In the report, the Parliament cites the effects of Turkey's and Azerbaïjan's double-blockade on Armenia's energy shortage and recommends the development of alternative energy sources, prior to the closing of the Medzamor central nuclear power plant. It also demands that Turkey proactively reopen its border with Armenia. An amendment submitted by the Greens party asking that Turkey not be named as a party responsible for the blockade was rejected by the Assembly. The European Assembly also presses Turkey to take action in accordance with its status as candidate to the EU, and from this perspective, affirms its position stated in the June 18, 1987, resolution "on a political solution to the Armenian question " (concerning the recognition of the Armenian Genocide as a pre-condition to Turkey's accession to Europe). An amendment proposed by the Liberal group (ELDR) suppressing reference to the 1987 resolution wasrejected by a large majority. In the report, the European Parliament clearly warns countries dealing with the problem of refugees and displaced populations against all exploitation of their misfortune to political ends, and encourages such countries to enact sustainable solutions on integration of such populations. The European Armenian Federation notes that this measure by the European Parliament is in response to Azerbaijan's record of maintaining poor conditions for refugees while exploiting them for an aggressive political agenda. Finally, the paragraph in prior versions of the report that expressed support for a resolution to the Karabagh conflict that included the withdrawal of Armenian forces from 5 surrounding regions was eliminated by a large majority of votes. " We are very satisfied with the outcome and with the overall spirit of the report, which supports increased European involvement in the South Caucasus, through the 'Wider Europe' initiative and a stability pact for the region, " commented Hilda Tchoboian, Chairperson of the European Armenian Federation " Despite a joint diplomatic offensive by Turkey and Azerbaïjan, the European Parliament remained firmly grounded in its principled stance. The majority of the Parliament finally succeeded in purging this report of its original biased nature, " added Mrs. Tchoboian. " The amendments that we passed with European representatives and political groups were possible also made possible by the effective action on the part of our numerous affiliates in across Europe," concluded the Chairperson of the Federation |
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