Joint answer given by Mrs Ferrero-Waldner on behalf of the Commission
Written questions : E-0127/06 , E-0160/06 , E-0154/06

14.9.2006

The Commission is informed about the alleged destruction of artefacts in the Julfa Cemetery, in the Azerbaijani Autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan delivered a statement in the 586th Meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Permanent Council on 22 December 2005. The issue was also discussed in the Council of Europe on 1 February 2006.

The Commission has no first-hand or independent information on such allegations, nor is the protection of the world cultural heritage in third countries among its competences. However, the Commission has been supporting, for years, the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which has been at the source of mistrust, mutual destructions and victims on both sides. The Commission shall continue to use all the means at its disposal to persuade the parties to find a quick settlement to the conflict.

The European neighbourhood policy also aims at building confidence in the South Caucasus region, encouraging regional cooperation in as many sectors as possible and contributing to the settlement of frozen conflicts in the area. It is an ambitious objective that the Commission will try to achieve, including through the implementation of the action plans that the Commission is currently finalising with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

OJ C 328, 30/12/2006