‘Positive response’ urged towards Caucasus EU bid

Date: 28/02/02

By David Cronin

MEPs are calling for three impoverished states in the Caucasus region - Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia - to be considered for EU membership.

A report, likely to be endorsed by the European Parliament today (28 February), argues that the Union should respond positively to the desire to join its ranks expressed by both government and opposition parties in the countries.

'There is a strong feeling of European identity among the political leaders of the three countries and within the leadership of most opposition parties and grass roots movements,' said Swedish Green Per Gahrton, who drafted the report. 'Work is already under way on aligning legislation with EU legislation, particularly in Georgia.'

But he also argues that the Union should shoulder some of the blame for southern Caucasus' economic crises in the 1990s. His report says the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund gave bad advice in encouraging the countries to privatise their industries 'too rapidly', thereby causing major upheaval. 'Since the Union is a key player in the West's financial institutions, the EU may be said to have a certain co-responsibility,' it adds.

The report says there is a strong case for extending the 'everything but arms' trade initiative to the three. This scheme enables poor countries to export their goods tariff-free to EU markets.

MEPs are calling for three impoverished states in the Caucasus region - Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia - to be considered for EU membership.