Damien Abad (European Peoples’ Party) and Michele Rivasi (Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance) accompanied by EPP expert Nicholas Silberglied, Chairperson of the Hay Dat European Committee Hilda Tchoboian and Armenian Parliament members visited the Memorial to Armenian Genocide victims, Tsitsernakaberd. After laying a wreath at the Memorial, the delegation visited the Institute-Museum of the Armenian Genocide.

Talking to journalists, Michele Rivasi pointed out that the delegation’s visit to Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia was organized by an Armenian organization in Europe. The aim of the visit was to see the work of Nagorno-Karabakh institutions. The situation is fragile there. It is most difficult to make the right assessments of the situation from Europe – the South Caucasus are too far away and the right assessment required a visit. She pointed out the need for the EU to develop relations with the South Caucasus, help the region by means of various economic programs.

Asked about her impressions after the visit, Rivasi said that the delegation visited a region that defended itself from aggression. The delegation members met with many people, visited a school and realized the people were struggling for peace. As European Parliament members, the delegation underlined the necessity for a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Responding to NEWS.am’s question about the European delegation’s assessment of the latest Armenian-Azerbaijani-Russian presidential meeting in Astrakhan, Rivasi first underlined the importance of such meetings. The solution can be found if it is acceptable to all the sides – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia and, of course, Nagorno-Karabakh, which must be involved in the negotiations. The most important thing is that the sides make the first step. It also involves Armenian and Azerbaijani refugees. Meetings can help the sides to find a solution which would differ from the ones proposed now. Under specific programs, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh can find a solution. One of the programs is an energy one. It is not normal that Armenia is not involved in any of the programs between the Caspian and Black Sea regions.

Damien Abad was glad to visit Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. The European Parliament seeks a solution to the conflict put an end to its status of enclave. He considers it necessary that the European Parliament supports the region by means of education, cultural and economic projects, as well as by means of large-scale energy projects. As French representatives in the European Parliament they are proud of the French-Armenian friendship group in the Parliament of France. He pointed out the importance of France’s role as OSCE Minsk Group co-chair. He stressed that France, in cooperation with the U.S. and Russia, can help Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. Mr. Abad is happy about the trilateral presidential meeting in Astrakhan, which proved an opportunity for the release of POWs and a step for a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

The Armenian Parliament member Naira Zohrabyan pointed out European Parliament members’ more frequent visits to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. “It is most important for us that deputies speaking for a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at different organizations get full information. Must not only intensify our work with European parliamentarians, but also establish closer cooperation with them by means of our delegations and invite EU members to Nagorno-Karabakh more often,” she said.

NEWS.am reminds readers that European Parliament members visited the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) on Oct. 28. They held meetings at the NKR Parliament and with NKR President Bako Sahakyan. The European delegation also met with members of the Nagorno-Karabakh Union of Refugees and visited Stepanakert School #1.