Communiqués

Final Communiqué of the 3^rd Plenary Assembly of SCPI

Ljubljana, Slovenia 17-19 January 2005

The 3^rd Plenary Assembly of the South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative was held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, 17-19 January 2005 with the participation of delegations of the Parliaments of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

The Opening Session of the Plenary Assembly convened in the Building of the Parliament of Slovenia and was addressed by H.E. Mr France Cukjati, President of the Parliament of Slovenia and H.E. Dr Dimitrij Rupel, Foreign Minister of Slovenia and Chairman-in-Office of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The meeting also received messages from the President of the European Parliament and the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

The Plenary Assembly reviewed and approved the report of the work of the outgoing Armenian Presidency of SCPI covering the period July 2004-January 2005. It also heard and approved the programme of work of the incoming Azerbaijani Presidency of SCPI (January-June 2005). Alongside the Plenary Assembly a conference entitled “European Integration: our Choice” was organised by the Armenian Presidency in collaboration with Venice Commission of the Council of Europe. The conference was also attended by experts from several European countries.

The participants of the 3^rd Plenary Assembly of the South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative reviewed the international situation and developments in the region of the South Caucasus since their last meeting in Sofia in July 2004.

Global Challenges

Participants expressed their deep sorrow at the huge loss of life and enormous suffering resulting from the recent Tsunami in the Indian Ocean which has effected a number of Asian and African countries. Participants were encouraged by the international effort and expressions of solidarity that marked the international response to the tragedy. Participants hoped that from this tragedy the international community will emerge more determined to combat world poverty, eradicate disease and promote sustainable development.

Developments in  Europe and its neighbourhood

Participants welcomed developments in Europe that continue the process of integration, help dismantle the last remnants of cold war divisions and contribute to the further economic development of the continent in the interest of its citizens and of its neighbours. In this regard participants attach importance to the recent approval by the European Parliament of  a new constitution for the European Union. This is yet another milestone in the process of building a prosperous and democratic Europe in which the countries of the South Caucasus aspire to participate equally and fully. The decision of the Council of the European Union  to open negotiations with Turkey in 2005 leading to the eventual full membership of Turkey into the European Union is an event of great significance also to the countries of the South Caucasus. 

The participants at the 3^rd Plenary Assembly of the South Caucasus Parliamentary initiative noted the recent political developments in Ukraine, a country with which all South Caucasus States have long historic, economic and political ties. Participants looked forward to the further development of relations between their countries and Ukraine subsequent to the recent democratic Presidential elections. Participants expressed to the people of Ukraine best wishes in their  efforts to build a democratic state, one of the largest countries in Europe.

Participants heard with great interest the speech at the opening of their meeting of the Foreign Minister of Slovenia and current Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE. Participants welcome the keen interest of the OSCE Slovenian Chairmanship to the region of the South Caucasus and its commitment to the process of reform and renewal of the OSCE and its structures.

Participants welcomed the recent election of a Palestinian President and prospects for new initiatives that can contribute to peace in the region. They hoped for successful elections in Iraq that could open the prospect for an end to the present problems.

The Situation in the South Caucasus

The members of parliament attending the 3^rd Plenary Assembly of SCPI declared their continued determination to work to ensure that the process of reform and renewal that is going on in their three countries proceeds speedily and successfully for the benefit of their people. They recognised the need to intensify efforts to resolve the conflicts in the region  that hinder economic development and political evolution. They welcomed the continued dialogue between the Governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the framework of the “Prague process” in their effort to find a solution to the Karabakh conflict..

The Delegation of Georgia expressed its concern at the failure, due to a lack of consensus, of the OSCE to renew the mandate of the Mission monitoring the border between Georgia and parts of the Russian Federation. The participants of the 3^rd Plenary Assembly of SCPI hoped that an agreement on this issue can be achieved speedily.

 Participants note that the region of the South Caucasus is not making full use of the opportunities offered by the process of European integration. This is a challenge that the states of the South Caucasus must take up to ensure better life for the future generations. In particular participants hope that the full involvement of the countries of the South Caucasus in the New Neighbourhood Policy of the European Union will be fully utilised by state and society in the South Caucasus to accelerate the process of economic, social and political developments in the region.

The South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative is evolving slowly but steadily

Participants at the 3^rd Plenary Assembly of SCPI welcome the evolution of the Initiative and its increasing role in the region. They hope that the work of the Initiative will expand and move more speedily in response to challenges facing the region in different fields. The activation of working groups that can dwell in depth on issues of common interest is in this regard a logical next step. The Plenary Assembly expressed its appreciation of the work of the Secretariat of SCPI that helps ensure continuity between meetings. The participants called on the Presidium of SCPI to move speedily with the appointment of an Executive Secretary of SCPI in time to take office on 1^st July 2005 as already agreed.

Participants expressed their continued appreciation to all those who continue to assist the SCPI process, particularly the Governments of the United Kingdom and Switzerland, as well as the non governmental organisation LINKS, the facilitator of the process.

At the end of their meeting in Ljubljana the participants of the 3^rd Plenary Assembly of the South Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative expressed their sincere gratitude to the Parliament, Government and People of Slovenia for the warmth of their welcome and hospitality and for creating perfect conditions for the holding of their meeting.

At the end of the meeting the Delegation of the Parliament of Armenia handed over the Presidency of SCPI to the Delegation of the Parliament of Azerbaijan in accordance with the bye laws of the Initiative.