Lamberto Zannier: Minsk Group process is the only viable format

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS:

Italian diplomat Lamberto Zannier became OSCE Secretary General June 30, 2011, taking the place of Mark Perre deBrishambo. OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier gave an exclusive interview to Armenpress on OSCE challenges and goals, as well as on the process of NK conflict settlement.

The OSCE was created to ensure cooperation and security from Vancouver to Vladivostok. What do you think has the organization been successful in achieving this basic goal?

The situation in the OSCE area has dramatically changed since 1975 and the Helsinki Final Act. The OSCE has contributed to many of the positive developments in our region. For example, during the Cold War the Organization (then called the CSCE) helped to reduce military tensions and supported civil society in fighting for human rights; we helped and continue to help states in transition. Through our field presences in the former Yugoslavia we have aided post-conflict rehabilitation and democratization efforts, bringing those countries towards their stated goal of European integration.

Many countries in our region are celebrating 20 years of independence this year. This includes our current chair, Lithuania, whose citizens enjoy rights, freedoms and a level of security unthinkable a generation ago. So we can point to many improvements in security and co-operation, not just at the state level, but also for individuals and communities. On the other hand, there are still old challenges as well as new threats that we must face together, if we are to achieve our goal, agreed on by all 56 OSCE States at the Astana Summit last year, of a genuine Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian security community.

What are the main challenges for the organization nowadays and what new tools is the OSCE elaborating to fix them?

Security threats have changed in the 21st century. The OSCE is increasingly focusing on transnational threats such as terrorism, human trafficking and other forms of organized crime as well as tensions that arise over issues such as energy security or environmental challenges. These new threats can only be tackled by the joint efforts of states, so co-operation is more important than ever – through high-level political dialogue and by creating links between different agencies and organizations at a working level.

We are also looking at ways to enhance our operational effectiveness. This year under the Lithuanian Chairmanship of the OSCE, we have had a series of discussions on how to better deal with conflicts and all parts of the conflict cycle. We are looking at how to ensure that there is action following an early warning and how we galvanize the necessary political will to act quickly in conflict and pre-conflict situations.

The OSCE has long been working to ensure stability and peace in the South Caucasus. In your assessment what have been the main achievements in this region? What are the main challenges that still remain?

The OSCE has been working very hard over many years to ensure long term stability. The South Caucasus is a region which still presents security challenges. Confidence-building and reconciliation is a slow and difficult process that can have setbacks. We would all want to see quick progress, but patience, resolve and perseverance are needed to build the trust needed to generate progress. The OSCE has put at the disposal of all stakeholders in the region its tools and mechanisms for conflict prevention and will continue to operate with the goal of advancing security, stability and prosperity.

Now let’s turn to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, as the OSCE Minsk Group is dealing with it for so long. Azerbaijan has tried to change the format of the negotiations. How do you assess these steps and do you think that the Minsk Group format is still an accurate one?

It is tempting to focus on formats, but I prefer to focus on the substance of the negotiations. We have seen steps forward before within the framework of the Minsk Group when there has been political will, and I firmly believe that with commitment and good faith progress is possible.

The international community always states that status-quo around the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should change. In your opinion what mechanisms have to be undertaken in order to achieve this objective?

There have been far too many incidents along the Line of Contact recently – more than 20 fatalities already this year. So no, we can’t continue like this. The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, has called on the sides to withdraw snipers from the Line of Contact, and obviously I support that. I would also emphasize the importance of implementing the confidence-building measures agreed between the Presidents in Astrakhan and Sochi. The OSCE, is ready to assist in the implementation of these measures.

The leadership of Azerbaijan is using militaristic rhetoric almost every day. Don’t you think that in these conditions the peaceful settlement of the conflict is becoming harder and what steps in your opinion should be taken to avoid this kind of rhetoric?

Both sides have repeatedly agreed that a peaceful settlement is the only long-term solution. Finding a settlement requires patience and determination. It takes courage for leaders to speak out for peace and to prepare their people for compromises, and I urge the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to make the public case for peace.

In 2012-2013 elections are expected not only in Armenia and Azerbaijan but also in OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries. In your opinion is it possible to at least achieve consensus on the Basic Principles of the settlement before that?

There is a window of opportunity now and I urge both sides to make every effort to seize it. The Minsk Group Co-Chairs, with the support of the international community, are working hard to bring the sides to agreement on the Basic Principles and I remain optimistic.

Recently in one of your interviews you said that Turkey can play a positive role in the settlement of Nagorno-Kharabakh issue. In what ways do you think it can be done taking into account the position of Turkey in the issue showing unilateral support to one of the parties of the conflict?

Turkey has a role as it is part of the Minsk Group, which through the Co-chairs from France, Russia and USA leads the OSCE's efforts to find a political solution to this protracted conflict. The Minsk Group process is the only viable format accepted by all: any negotiation format has to be accepted by the parties that are in the negotiations, and this is also the case for the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. In this, as in any negotiation context, it is also necessary to take into account all relevant factors, including the regional dynamics. And if the conflict in itself has remained largely frozen, the overall situation in the larger region has evolved. This factor needs to be taken into account as well: in fact, overall improvements of relations between all key actors in the region would create better conditions for progress. If Turkey intends to play a more visible role, taking into account its geo-strategic position, this can only happen if it is agreed with all relevant stakeholders. This is a message I also brought to Turkey, pointing to the fact that an improvement of relations between Armenia and Turkey would promote reconciliation and more open contacts between the peoples of the region, thus creating better conditions for conflict resolution. And if this happened, I would certainly welcome it.