[ARM]     [RUS]     [ENG]

JORIS POSCHET: EUROPE SHOULD HAVE MORE ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT HERE

As it is known, on the initiative of the Armenian National Committee of Europe and under the leadership of the Committee Chairman, Gaspar Karampetyan, member of the Belgian Senate and Flemish Parliament Joris Poschet has recently visited Artsakh.

 On June 23, the European Senator met with representatives of different mass media operating in the Republic.

The European MP, first, noted that it had been his first visit to Artsakh and he had managed to meet with the authorities of the Republic and heads of different agencies and organizations. The Senator called these meetings encouraging, stressing that they had allowed him to have a complete idea about Artsakh, to assess the present and the past of the country. Joris Poschet visited important and interesting structures in Artsakh, in particular, the office of The HALO Trust British non-governmental organization implementing demining works in the territory of the Republic. He also visited the Artsakh Brandy Company and got acquainted with the production types. According to the European guest, the wine factory can be considered as a dynamically developing company with the most advanced technologies. The European guest also visited the ancient city of Tigranakert, where he was briefed on the history of the city and the excavations works in place.

The MP was particularly impressed by the visit to Stepanakert's Tumo Center for Creative Technologies, which he considered as an indispensable place for the development of the creative abilities of the younger generation, as well as a key link to the further development of the country's economy.

Answering the journalists' questions, the Belgian MP admitted that he hadn’t been well- informed about the history of the Karabakh conflict. “You are in a very complicated region, and I believe that such visits are of great importance both to you and to us", he said, adding that Europe is concerned mainly about the Middle East region. The MP also expressed hope that the mutual visits of the European and Artsakh MPs contributed to raising the international community's awareness of the processes taking place in Artsakh.

According to the Senator, during the visit, it became clear to him that the main goal of the people of Artsakh is to correct the historical mistake committed in due time by the Bolshevik leadership. “I am a member of a centrist party and I represent a country that is in a rather complicated domestic political situation. I am convinced that dialogue between the parties is crucial for success in any difficult situation", said Mr. Poschet. Referring to the practical results of the visits by the European MPs, he noted that Belgian Senators are not well aware of this conflict, which, naturally, is not favorable for Artsakh.

The MP informed that a Friendship Group with Artsakh would soon start functioning in the Flemish Parliament. “It may be a very modest step, but I plan to launch quite efficient activities in that Group, and in the future, to raise the issue of taking a more active position towards Artsakh in the Belgian Government", he emphasized.

Joris Poschet noted that he was for more active involvement of Europe in the process of peaceful settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict, as Europe has a unique experience of solving such conflicts. The Senator also admitted that European MPs usually visit unrecognized countries with some caution, but Artsakh seems to have managed to annul this concern. I felt very protected and safe here, like in my homeland. I admired the nature and delicious cuisine here”, he said.

According to Joris Poschet, his acquaintance visit has reaffirmed the conviction that Artsakh is part of Europe and is guided by similar values. “I was also encouraged by the meeting with the MPs of your country, which also proved that there is an atmosphere of pluralism here", he said.

Stating that he was back home, leaving his name in the notorious ‘black list’ of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, the Belgian Senator expressed conviction that his next visit to Artsakh would not be too late, especially that he had already many friends here.

 

Nune HAYRAPETYAN