Politics
Karabakh conflict: Armenia, Azerbaijan agree on ‘Madrid Principles
Reading Time: 4 minutesMeeting in Sochi on January 25 with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Serzh Sarkisian and Ilham Aliyev, reached verbal agreement on the wording of the preamble of the most recent revised version of the Madrid Principles that constitute the outline of a more comprehensive Karabakh peace agreement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told journalists.
Meeting in Sochi on January 25 with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Serzh Sarkisian and Ilham Aliyev, reached verbal agreement on the wording of the preamble of the most recent revised version of the "Madrid Principles" that constitute the outline of a more comprehensive Karabakh peace agreement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told journalists.
Lavrov added that the two sides will prepare "concrete ideas and formulations" to be inserted in those points of the revised text on which they still disagree.
The original Madrid Principles were presented to the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers at the OSCE ministerial conference in Madrid in November 2007, and were in turn a revised version of the Basic Principles unveiled by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen in the early summer of 2006 and posted on the website of the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan.
They included the phased withdrawal of Armenian troops from five Azerbaijani territories bordering on Nagorno-Karabakh, with special separate arrangements for two further districts of Azerbaijan — Kelbacar and Lachin — that separate Nagorno-Karabakh from the Republic of Armenia.
The phased withdrawal would be followed by the demilitarization of those territories; the deployment of an international peacekeeping force; demining, reconstruction, and the return to those Azerbaijani districts of the population who were forced to flee during hostilities in 1992-93; and, finally, at some unspecified future date, a referendum or popular vote on the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Over the next 18 months, senior officials from Armenia and Azerbaijan reached agreement on some of those points. But they reportedly made little or no progress towards agreeing on the specific time frame for the withdrawal of Armenian forces from the occupied Azerbaijani territories, or on the modalities of the decision on the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan continues to exist that that final status must be compatible with preserving the territorial integrity of the Azerbaijan Republic.
It was in an effort to expedite agreement that Medvedev invited Aliyev and Sarkisian to Moscow in November 2008. Those talks yielded the first ever formal written accord in the entire 16 years of the mediation process. In that "Declaration On Regulating the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict," the three presidents reaffirmed their shared commitment to seeking a political solution to the conflict "on the basis of the norms and principles of international law," thereby implicating eschewing the military solution that President Aliyev had periodically threatened.
They stressed the importance of the ongoing mediation effort by the OSCE Minsk Group, and specifically of the Madrid Principles as the blueprint for a formal settlement of the conflict. And they agreed that the search for a peaceful solution should be accompanied by "legally binding international guarantees of all its aspects and stages."
Then at the Group of Eight (G8) summit in Italy in July 2009, the presidents of France, Russia, and the United States (the three countries that jointly co-chair the OSCE Minsk Group) announced that they had asked the co-chairmen to draft and submit to the two presidents "an updated version" of the Madrid Principles. They noted that those principles represent "a reasonable compromise" between the principles of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, on the one hand, and territorial integrity on the other, together with the nonuse of force. All three principles are enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act of 1975.
They further asked the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents "to resolve the few differences remaining between them and finalize their agreement on these Basic Principles," which are to serve as the nucleus of "a comprehensive settlement."
The OSCE press release making public that July statement appended a brief summary of the Basic Principles. The slight but significant discrepancies between that summary and the original version made public in June 2006 triggered a storm of criticism in Yerevan, with opposition politicians accusing Sarkisian of agreeing to concessions detrimental to Armenia’s national interests.
Those critics pointed out that while the original principles referred to a "phased" withdrawal of Armenian forces from the Azerbaijani occupied districts, the modifying adjective "phased’ is absent from the 2009 summary, which did not specifically allow for the withdrawal from Lachin and Kelbacar to be delayed. The leadership of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) insists that those two districts should not be returned to Azerbaijani control until after the region’s final status is decided. Furthermore, the 2009 summary of the Basic Principles says that status should be decided by "a legally binding expression of will"; it does not use the term "referendum."
Aliyev and Sarkisian have met four times since the release of that G8 statement: in Moscow (July 17), Chisinau (October 8), Munich (November 22), and then yesterday in Sochi. The co-chairs said after the Munich meeting, which they described as "very constructive," that the two presidents engaged in "detailed and in-depth discussions" on all the basic elements that have yet to be agreed on.
The Russian daily "Vremya novostei" on November 23 quoted an unidentified "source close to the talks" as saying that the Munich discussion focused on the nature of the "temporary status" to be bestowed on the NKR after the signing of a formal settlement and pending the holding of a referendum on its final status; the wording of the preamble to the settlement agreement; and the future status of the Lachin Corridor that forms a land bridge between the NKR and Armenia.
The fact that Aliyev and Sarkisian have now reached agreement on the wording of the preamble to the new version of the Madrid Principles is a small step forward insofar as that preamble is certain to reaffirm their shared commitment to a peaceful settlement within the framework of international law. In that respect, it constitutes a retreat by President Aliyev from his bellicose rhetoric of recent months, which the co-chairs in November said was "not helpful."
For Aliyev, now is the optimum moment to be seen as demonstrating apparent willingness to compromise. While no one with any knowledge of Azerbaijani politics doubts for a moment that the parliamentary elections due this fall will result in an absolute majority for the ruling Yeni Azerbaycan Party, the authorities will not want to take any step that could galvanize popular opposition in the run-up to the vote.
Specifically, Aliyev is highly unlikely to sign the Madrid Principles before the election, because doing so would open the door to the final, crucial phase of talks on expanding the Basic/Madrid Principles into a detailed, full-fledged settlement. Representatives of the NKR are entitled to participate in that final stage.
At the same time, the significance of the two presidents’ agreement on the wording of the preamble to the Madrid Principles should not be overestimated. As former Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, who participated in the Karabakh negotiations from 1997-2008, pointed out in May 2009 "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed."
A new football club has earned a leading place in the UEFA Champions League groups and starred in the headlines of worldwide football news yesterday. The Football Club Sheriff Tiraspol claimed a win with the score 2-1 against Real Madrid on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. That made Sheriff Tiraspol the leader in Group D of the Champions League, including the football club in the groups of the most important European interclub competition for the first time ever.
International media outlets called it a miracle, a shock and a historic event, while strongly emphasizing the origin of the team and the existing political conflict between the two banks of the Dniester. “Football club from a pro-Russian separatist enclave in Moldova pulls off one of the greatest upsets in Champions League history,” claimed the news portals. “Sheriff crushed Real!” they said.
Moldovans made a big fuss out of it on social media, splitting into two groups: those who praised the team and the Republic of Moldova for making history and those who declared that the football club and their merits belong to Transnistria – a problematic breakaway region that claims to be a separate country.
Both groups are right and not right at the same time, as there is a bunch of ethical, political, social and practical matters that need to be considered.
Is it Moldova?
First of all, every Moldovan either from the right or left bank of Dniester (Transnistria) is free to identify himself with this achievement or not to do so, said Vitalie Spranceana, a sociologist, blogger, journalist and urban activist. According to him, boycotting the football club for being a separatist team is wrong.
At the same time, “it’s an illusion to think that territory matters when it comes to football clubs,” Spranceana claimed. “Big teams, the ones included in the Champions League, have long lost their connection both with the countries in which they operate, and with the cities in which they appeared and to which they linked their history. […] In the age of globalized commercial football, teams, including the so-called local ones, are nothing more than global traveling commercial circuses, incidentally linked to cities, but more closely linked to all sorts of dirty, semi-dirty and cleaner cash flows.”
What is more important in this case is the consistency, not so much of citizens, as of politicians from the government who have “no right to celebrate the success of separatism,” as they represent “the national interests, not the personal or collective pleasures of certain segments of the population,” believes the political expert Dionis Cenusa. The victory of FC Sheriff encourages Transnistrian separatism, which receives validation now, he also stated.
“I don’t know how it happens that the “proud Moldovans who chose democracy”, in their enthusiasm for Sheriff Tiraspol’s victory over Real Madrid, forget the need for total and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria!” declared the journalist Vitalie Ciobanu.
Nowadays, FC Sheriff Tiraspol has no other choice than to represent Moldova internationally. For many years, the team used the Moldovan Football Federation in order to be able to participate in championships, including international ones. That is because the region remains unrecognised by the international community. However, the club’s victory is presented as that of Transnistria within the region, without any reference to the Republic of Moldova, its separatist character being applied in this case especially.
Is it a victory?
In fact, FC Sheriff Tiraspol joining the Champions League is a huge image breakthrough for the Transnistrian region, as the journalist Madalin Necsutu claimed. It is the success of the Tiraspol Club oligarchic patrons. From the practical point of view, FC Sheriff Tiraspol is a sports entity that serves its own interests and the interests of its owners, being dependent on the money invested by Tiraspol (but not only) oligarchs.
Here comes the real dilemma: the Transnistrian team, which is generously funded by money received from corruption schemes and money laundering, is waging an unequal fight with the rest of the Moldovan football clubs, the journalist also declared. The Tiraspol team is about to raise 15.6 million euro for reaching the Champions League groups and the amounts increase depending on their future performance. According to Necsutu, these money will go directly on the account of the club, not to the Moldovan Football Federation, creating an even bigger gab between FC Sheriff and other football clubs from Moldova who have much more modest financial possibilities.
“I do not see anything useful for Moldovan football, not a single Moldovan player is part of FC Sheriff Tiraspol. I do not see anything beneficial for the Moldovan Football Federation or any national team.”
Is it only about football?
FC Sheriff Tiraspol, with a total estimated value of 12.8 million euros, is controlled by Victor Gusan and Ilya Kazmala, being part of Sheriff Holding – a company that controls the trade of wholesale, retail food, fuels and medicine by having monopolies on these markets in Transnistria. The holding carries out car trading activities, but also operates in the field of construction and real estate. Gusan’s people also hold all of the main leadership offices in the breakaway region, from Parliament to the Prime Minister’s seat or the Presidency.
The football club is supported by a holding alleged of smuggling, corruption, money laundering and organised crime. Moldovan media outlets published investigations about the signals regarding the Sheriff’s holding involvement in the vote mobilization and remuneration of citizens on the left bank of the Dniester who participated in the snap parliamentary elections this summer and who were eager to vote for the pro-Russian socialist-communist bloc.
Considering the above, there is a great probability that the Republic of Moldova will still be represented by a football club that is not identified as being Moldovan, being funded from obscure money, growing in power and promoting the Transnistrian conflict in the future as well.
Photo: unknown
Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Natalia Gavrilita, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nicu Popescu, pay an official visit to Brussels, between September 27-28, being invited by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles.
Today, Prime Minister had a meeting with Charles Michel, President of the European Council. The Moldovan PM thanked the senior European official for the support of the institution in strengthening democratic processes, reforming the judiciary and state institutions, economic recovery and job creation, as well as increasing citizens’ welfare. Natalia Gavrilita expressed her confidence that the current visit laid the foundations for boosting relations between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, so that, in the next period, it would be possible to advance high-level dialogues on security, justice and energy. Officials also exchanged views on priorities for the Eastern Partnership Summit, to be held in December.
“The EU is open to continue to support the Republic of Moldova and the ambitious reform agenda it proposes. Moldova is an important and priority partner for us,” said Charles Michel.
Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita also met with Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for Economy, expressing her gratitude for the support received through the OMNIBUS macro-financial assistance program. The two officials discussed the need to advance the recovery of money from bank fraud, to strengthen sustainable mechanisms for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in Moldova, and to standardize the customs and taxes as one of the main conditions for deepening cooperation with the EU in this field.
Additionally, Prime Minister spoke about the importance of the Eastern Partnership and the Deep Free Trade Agreement, noting that the Government’s policies are aimed at developing an economic model aligned with the European economic model, focused on digitalization, energy efficiency and the green economy.
A common press release of the Moldovan Prime Minister with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles, took place today, where the agenda of Moldova’s reforms and the main priorities to focus on in the coming months were presented: judiciary reform; fighting COVID-19 pandemic; promoting economic recovery and conditions for growth and job creation; strengthening state institutions and resilience of the country.
“I am here to relaunch the dialogue between my country and the European Union. Our partnership is strong, but I believe there is room for even deeper cooperation and stronger political, economic and sectoral ties. I am convinced that this partnership is the key to the prosperity of our country and I hope that we will continue to strengthen cooperation.”
The Moldovan delegation met Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice. Tomorrow, there are scheduled common meetings with Oliver Varhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Adina Valean, European Commissioner for Transport and Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy.
Prime Minister will also attend a public event, along with Katarina Mathernova, Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.
Photo: gov.md
Politics
Promo-LEX about Maia Sandu’s UN speech: The president must insist on appointing a rapporteur to monitor the situation of human rights in Transnistria
The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, pays an official visit to New York, USA, between September 21-22. There, she participates in the work of the United Nations General Assembly. According to a press release of the President’s Office, the official will deliver a speech at the tribune of the United Nations.
In this context, the Promo-LEX Association suggested the president to request the appointment of a special rapporteur in order to monitor the situation of human rights in the Transnistrian region. According to Promo-LEX, the responsibility for human rights violations in the Transnistrian region arises as a result of the Russian Federation’s military, economic and political control over the Tiraspol regime.
“We consider it imperative to insist on the observance of the international commitments assumed by the Russian Federation regarding the withdrawal of the armed forces and ammunition from the territory of the country,” the representatives of Promo-LEX stated. They consider the speech before the UN an opportunity “to demand the observance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the Russian Federation with reference to this territory which is in its full control.”
“It is important to remember about the numerous cases of murder, torture, ill-treatment, forced enlistment in illegal military structures, the application of pseudo-justice in the Transnistrian region, all carried out under the tacit agreement of the Russian Federation. These findings stem from dozens of rulings and decisions issued by the European Court of Human Rights, which found that Russia is responsible for human rights violations in the region.”
The association representatives expressed their hope that the president of the country would give priority to issues related to the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region and would call on relevant international actors to contribute to guaranteeing fundamental human rights and freedoms throughout Moldova.
They asked Maia Sandu to insist on the observance of the obligation to evacuate the ammunition and the military units of the Russian Federation from the territory of the Republic of Moldova, to publicly support the need for the Russian Federation to implement the ECtHR rulings on human rights violations in the Transnistrian region, and to request the appointment of an UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur to monitor the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova.
**
The Promo-LEX Association concluded that 14 out of 25 actions planned within the National Action Plan for the years 2018–2022 concerning respecting human rights in Transnistria were not carried out by the responsible authorities.
The association expressed its concern and mentioned that there are a large number of delays in the planned results. “There is a lack of communication and coordination between the designated institutions, which do not yet have a common vision of interaction for the implementation of the plan.”
Promo-LEX requested the Government of the Republic of Moldova to re-assess the reported activities and to take urgent measures, “which would exclude superficial implementation of future activities and increase the level of accountability of the authorities.”
Photo: peacekeeping.un.org
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