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European Lib Dems visit Southern Caucus to assess EU involvement in the region
February 27, 2006 12:00 AM
Members of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe will travel to the Southern Caucus region to visit Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia between 27 February -1st March 2006 to meet up with leaders of liberal and democrat parties, civil society and human rights activists. The delegation is composed of ALDE leader Graham WATSON (Lib Dem, UK), Sarah LUDFORD (Lib Dem, UK) and Ignasi GUARDANS (CiU, Spain).
In Azerbaijan, the delegation will meet up with Ali Kerimli, Chairman of the Peoples Front Party of Azerbaijan, which is part of the leading opposition bloc "Azadlyg" (Freedom). Members will also meet government officials as well as human rights activists and journalists. The following day in Tbilisi, the ALDE delegation will meet with Georgian Members of the Liberal Group from the Council of Europe and have an exchange of views with President of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili. Finally, in Yerevan on the 1st March, MEPs will meet with leaders of Armenian liberal parties, Arthur Bagdasaryan, Chairman of the Armenian National Assembly, David Shahnazaryan, former Minister of National Security of Armenia and Levon Ter-Petrossian, former President of Armenia. Throughout the visit, MEPS will discuss the New Neighbourhood policy of the EU with experts and define the challenges for Liberalism in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. Sarah Ludford said:
"The stability and security of the Southern Caucus region is of crucial importance to Europe. At a time when the European Neighbourhood Action Plans for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia are in their final stage of preparation, it is important for us to assess how each country is undertaking the process of democratisation in accordance with its own specific needs and dynamics. "
"Our delegation will pay a particular focus to the political and economic reforms required in all countries, namely the fight against corruption and trafficking, human rights and peace building measures to secure stability in such a conflict-ridden region."
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