EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/462

(2004/C 84 E/0538)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0907/03

by Olle Schmidt (ELDR) to the Commission

(24 March 2003)

Subject: Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, the independent republic bordering the Caspian Sea, which is seeking closer relations with the EU, has serious internal problems of an economic and humanitarian nature. One million people are currently refugees in their own country because of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the Armenian-occupied areas. Many of these refugees are therefore forced to live in wretched conditions in various camps.

In the hope that the Commission is aware of the conditions under which these people are living, I would ask what the EU has done hitherto to resolve the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and relieve the human suffering and, specifically, what funds the EU has allocated in direct aid to the region?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(22 April 2003)

The Commission is acutely aware of the difficult conditions under which people (internally displaced people and refugees) are living in Azerbaijan as a consequence of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

The Union's policy to the region is defined in the General Affairs Council conclusions of its 2 331st meeting in Brussels 26/27 February 2001. The Council concluded:

The Ministerial Troika visit to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan on 20/21 February 2001 demonstrated the importance the EU attaches to strengthening relations with the Southern Caucasus, with a view to promoting peace, stability, prosperity and regional cooperation.

The EU is willing to play a more active political role in the region. The Council welcomes the warm reception received from the three countries by the Troika visit, perceived as a sign of the EU's continued commitment to the region. All supported a stronger EU role in the Southern Caucasus. In close co-operation with the parties, competent international organisations and the countries of the region, the EU will look for further ways in which it could support efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts as well as in post conflict rehabilitation in the region. Special attention should be given to strengthening the co-operation with the OSCE, the UN and the Council of Europe.

In this context, the EU will reinforce the bilateral and multilateral political dialogue with the countries of the Southern Caucasus. It will also intensify the political dialogue about the region with Russia, Turkey, Iran and the United States.

The EU is continuing its support to the region, in close co-ordination with the relevant international organisations and the IFIs. The effectiveness of its assistance, however, is connected to the development of the peace processes in the region.

The Commission works within this overall policy.

Community funds committed to the region (Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia) total over EUR 1 billion between 1992 and 2003. A total of EUR 399 674 million have been allocated directly to Azerbaijan since 1992. Of this total some EUR 254 569 million (51,6 %) were allocated to humanitarian and reconstruction actions — EUR 157,82 million were allocated to humanitarian assistance (39,5 % of the total) and EUR 48 374 million on post conflict rehabilitation and reconstruction activities (12,1 %).

Funds have also been allocated under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) to regional projects for the benefit of the three South Caucasian states. Two complementary Joint Programmes with the Council of Europe and the Organisation on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), focussing on conflict prevention and strengthening of democratic stability, have been financed under this budget line. In addition, the Commission is working with non-governmental organisations NGOs) in the region, notably to combat discrimination against certain minority groups.

Poverty alleviation is the primary focus for current and future Tacis and Food Security Programmes in all countries of the Southern Caucasus.