Nagorno-Karabakh: Yes, Europe can invest a little more (LINKS expert)

(BRUSSELS2) It is wonderful to see how little Europeans - as an entity - seem invested in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Certainly it is not easy. But there is still some tracks » that we could follow according to Dennis Sammut, director of LINKS (London Information Network on Conflicts and State-building), one of the experts present at the workshop organized by the Security and Defense sub-committee of the European Parliament. Starting with a greater involvement in the observation of the conflict in a more active way, with defense attachés deployed in the main capitals involved and the launch of security projects.

1st recommendation: Monitor developments and assist the military of both parties.

He recommends, for example, make better use of satellite imagery both to assess the situation and to help parties avoid misperceptions ". It is also necessary to establish direct contact with the military commands on both sides. One " first step would be to deploy military liaison officers to its delegations in Baku and Yerevan.

2nd recommendation: Launch and assist security projects

Another recommendation: the European Commission is invited to launch and finance security projects in parallel with the peace process. A bit like the various projects it finances in different regions, particularly in the Sahel. Read also: The “other” European security programs in the Sahel

3rd recommendation: Confidence-building measures, not a panacea.

Confidence-building measures, while useful, should in no way replace a credible peace process. Moreover, underlines Dennis Sammut, to dwell only on these measures would risk being counter-productive: Azerbaijan would risk seeing in them a legitimization of the maintenance of the status quo, which it does not want for anything in the world.

4nd recommendation: Encourage contact by creating “safe spaces”. And be ready.

The EU must set itself the objective of encouraging dialogue between the two parties and creating the conditions for this dialogue. It is a question of creating “opportunities” also called “safe spaces” for meetings which must be held on site. The EU must also be ready (and show that it is) to deploy personnel in the event of an agreement on a ceasefire observation mission.

5nd recommendation: One hour of television

In addition, the EU must ensure that the local populations are informed both of the stakes of such a conflict, which often exceed them, but also of the European prospects which could open up to them in the event of peace. A European information office could thus be opened. But also broadcast, for example, a one-hour television program directed at both parties.

The European Parliament leading the dialogue

Based on the resolutions adopted by Parliament on this subject (in particular that of April 18, 2012), David Sammut encourages the Parliament to take the lead in promoting dialogue, by organizing meetings where diplomats and experts can exchange views. It seems that this was the case during this workshop elsewhere.

Read also: A (very) open war in Eastern Europe? Increasingly likely in the medium term