Recommendation 1771 (2006)

The establishment of a stability pact for the South Caucasus

Author(s): Parliamentary Assembly

Origin - Text adopted by the Standing Committee, acting on behalf of the Assembly, on 17 November 2006 (see Doc. 11082, report of the Political Affairs Committee, rapporteur: Mr Severin).

1. Referring to its Resolution 1525 (2006) on the establishment of a stability pact for the South Caucasus, the Parliamentary Assembly reiterates the historical role of the Council of Europe in improving good governance, strengthening democracy and the rule of law, raising human rights standards and improving the protection of national minorities in Europe. The Assembly is convinced that a similar role should be played as regards the establishment of a stability pact for the South Caucasus.

2. Therefore, the Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

2.1. consider the idea of establishing a stability pact for the South Caucasus along the lines set out above;

2.2. consider the possibility of organising an international conference on security and co-operation in the South Caucasus, which would have as its main goal the assessment of the specific needs and the establishment of the practical conditions necessary for launching such a stability pact in agreement with all those concerned;

2.3. invite the authorities of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to launch a serious political debate on this subject in their respective countries;

2.4. invite all other member states to examine the idea;

2.5. consult other international players, particularly the European Union, on the possible establishment of the stability pact;

2.6. encourage Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to establish regional co-operation irrespective of the state of development of work on the stability pact;

2.7. in the absence of a stability pact, elaborate on the mechanism for the creation of a permanent dialogue and of an international framework for political, economic and cultural co-operation between countries in the South Caucasian region, bearing in mind the principles and targets stated above;

2.8. step up the assistance programmes and activities aimed at the promotion of democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights, as well as respect and dialogue between the ethnicities, cultures and religions in the countries concerned;

2.9. invite the member states of the Council of Europe to contribute to the creation of a favourable climate and conditions for regional co-operation and political talks, including the support for comprehensive programmes for dialogue between peoples and confidence-building measures, in order to create a framework for a solution to “frozen conflicts” and the promotion of regional co-operation and integration.