Topic Area A : frozen conflicts in post-Soviet states and ... filePAM Award 2012 Study Guide for the...

PAM Award 2012

Study Guide for the Organization for the Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in the 6

th Rhodes Model Regional

Co-operation to be held in Rhodes, October 14-18, 2015. Version 1.0 – Pages 20 – Last update: 06/09/2015 © 2015 by the House of Europe in Rhodes. All Rights Reserved. Inspired by the “Guide for Research and Effective Public Speaking” drafted for RhodesMRC 2010-2012 and ThessISMUN 2010-2013 Contributors: Emmanouil Kalaintzis, Magdalene Tsourdiou, Stavros Kourmpetis, Chrysa Tramountana Editor: Michael G. Kavuklis

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)

Ministerial Council

Topic Area A :

“The frozen conflicts in post-Soviet states and Caucasus: Ways

for the enforcement of peace and security”

RhodesMRC 2015 - Study Guide for the Organization for the Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)

Version 1.0 – Last update: 24/07/2015 © 2015 by the House of Europe in Rhodes. All Rights Reserved. 2/20

Contents

Presentation of the Organization for the Security and Cooperation in Europe….3

From Soviet Union to post-soviet States…………………………………………….4

The frozen conflicts in Caucasus……………………………………………………...

a. General information about Caucasus……………………………..……...……4

b. Introduction……………………………………………………………………..5

c. The Creation of the south Caucasus States and the issue of the de facto

independent States……………………………………………………………………5

d. The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic……...……….………………...………….6

e. The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic...………………………..………..... 8

f. Abkhazia and South Ossetia…………………………………………...…......11

Post-Soviet Situations………………………………………………………………….

a. Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria)………………..……..13

b. Crimea and the Federal State of Novorossiya…………………………….16

Conclusions………………………………………………………………………….18

Ideas for propositions………………………………………………………………19

Bibliography………………………………………………………………………...20

Additional research material………………………………………………………21



1.Presentation of the Organization for the Security and Cooperation in

Europe

1

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is an institution that today counts 57

participating States and it constitutes the world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental

organization. Its secretariat is located in Vienna, Austria, and OSCE has its origins in the 1975

Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) held in Helsinki, Finland. According to

the Organization’s rules of procedure, all member States are equal and in order for the Ministerial

Court to reach a decision on a resolution, a Consensus is required. Although, the Resolution is a

non-binding document, it is considerably important to understand how the Organization and its

Member-States analyze each and every situation and issue. This August, the OSCE celebrated the

40 years since the signification of the Helsinki Final Act by 35 States, a fact that changed the future

of the Organization. Helsinki Final Act represents a political commitment by national governments to

build security and cooperation in Europe.

The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military [called

Politico-military dimension (first dimension)], economic and environmental [called Economic and

environmental dimension (second dimension)] , and human aspects [called Human dimension (third

dimension)]. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms

control, border management, military reform confidence- and security-building measures, human

rights, national minorities, and democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic

and environmental activities.

The OSCE’s institutions are: “The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-

operation in Europe”, “The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)”, “The

Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media”, “The High Commissioner on National

Minorities”.

Last but not least, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is an observer

in the United Nations General Assembly.

1 Resource of the OSCE logo, from the official site http://www.osce.org

http://www.osce.org/



2. From Soviet Union to post-soviet States

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was a union of minor communistic republics that was born after the

Russian Revolution of 1917. After the end of the imperial Russia a second revolution followed in which the

Bolsheviks with leader Lenin established the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic. On 28 December

1922, the Russian SFSR, the Transcaucasian SFSR, the Ukrainian SSR and the Byelorussian SSR approved

the Treaty of Creation of the USSR and so the USSR was born.

The USSR for many years was one of the greatest States in the world and one of the two great super powers.

The USSR’s part in the fight against Nazism was very important for the end of World War II.

The USSR lasted for many decades but since the Cold War and for the last twenty years of its existence was

in great decline. 1991 was the year that the USSR was dissolved. On 8 December 1991, the presidents of

Russia, Ukraine and Belarus signed the Belavezha Accords. With these Accords the Soviet Union was

dissolved and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was established in its place. On 25 December

1991, Gorbachev resigned as the President of the USSR and the Russian Federation has assumed the Soviet

Union's rights and obligations.

3. The frozen conflicts in Caucasus

3.1.1 General information about Caucasus

The Caucasus is an area located in Eurasia between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. The

landscape of Caucasus is well-known for the huge complexes of high mountains called as

Caucasian Mountains. This area was one of the most important ways for the famous Silk Road.

The Region is divided geographically. All the north territory is part of the Russian Federation

divided among several political entities. The South Caucasus area spans the southern portion of the

Caucasus Mountains and its lowlands, straddles the border between the two continents of Europe

and Asia and extends from the southern part of the Greater Caucasus mountains.

3.1.2 Introduction

The land of Caucasus has always been a theater of conflicts. From the times of the ancients

Persians, Greeks and Romans, to more moderns struggles between the Ottoman Empire, Iran,

Imperial/ Soviet Russia. Nowadays after the collapse of the Soviet Union the area is more than ever

a district of significant importance for matter of international diplomacy and international law.

The revive of ethnic rivalries, the major opportunities for rapid economic development due the

plenty of fuel resources and the geopolitical importance of the Caucasian states make the

Caucasian issue a flaming one. The complexity of the Caucasian Issue is huge as the interests of

four States, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Russian Federation, prove. For these reasons it

a matter of vital importance to assist with the help of diplomacy the Caucasian ceasefire in order to

ensure stability in the region.



3.1.3 The Creation of the south Caucasus States and the issue of the de facto independent

States

After the collapse of the Soviet Union many of the former soviet republics of south Caucasus

declared their independence. First was Georgia on 8th_of April 1991, followed by Azerbaijan on 30th

of August 1991 and Armenia on 21st of September 1991.

South Caucasus has also been at the center of post-cold war geopolitical rivalries between the

newly autonomous republics. Some of the autonomous republics within these republics also

declared their independence. As a result in this area are located two de facto yet not internationally

recognized independent states the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (Naxçıvan Muxtar

Respublikası) and Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Լեռնային Ղարաբաղի Հանրապետություն). Apart

from those two de facto States, there are also the chases of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and their

relationship with the Russia Federation. 2

3.1.4. The Nagorno-

Karabakh Republic3

Nagorno-Karabakh is located

in the south-west of

Azerbaijan. It is an area

inhabited mostly by

Armenians but is not

geographically attached to

Armenia.

With the establishment of

soviet control over the area

the Nagorno-Karabakh

Autonomous Oblast (NKAO)

was created within the

Azerbaijan SSR in 1923, but

the parliament of the

Nagorno-Karabakh

Autonomous Oblast (NKAO)

in Azerbaijan voted to unify

the region with Armenia on 20 February 1988. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the

creation of the three south Caucasian Republics a struggle between Azerbaijan and Armenia for the

dominance of NKR continued. A referendum was held in 1991 with the people of the area deciding

to declare independence.

2 Source: www.economist.com (accessed 22.08.2015)

3See at http://www.president.am/en/karabakh-nkr/ (accessed 22.08.2015)

http://www.economist.com/

http://www.president.am/en/karabakh-nkr/



4

With the result of the referendum of 1991 and the gravitas of ethnic rivalries over the region since

the times of the Soviet Union the Azeri populations in nearby regions started to oppose the

unification with Armenia and so the first conflicts of the Nagorno-Karabakh War started. The conflict

culminated into a full scale war in 1992. Through 1993 the Armenian side had captured all of the

Nagorno-Karabakh region, as well as a part of Azerbaijan ground, despite repeated UN resolutions

that requested a withdrawal from all territories outside Nagorno-Karabakh5. The end of the War

came in 1994 in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan with the signature of the Bishkek Protocol signed

4 Administrative and territorial units of the Republic of Armenia are marzes and communities. Marzes consist of rural and urban

communities. The entire territory of Armenia is divided into 10 marzes. They are: Aragatsotn marz, Ararat marz, Armavir marz, Gegharkunik marz, Lori marz, Kotyaik marz, Shirak marz, Syunik marz, Tavush marz and Vayots Dzor.

5 Two subsequent UNSC resolutions on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were passed, (874 and 884), in October and November and,

although reemphasizing the same points as the previous two, they acknowledged Nagorno-Karabakh as a party to the conflict. Also the US http://countrystudies.us/azerbaijan/16.htm



by representatives of Republic of Armenia (Parliament Speaker Babken Ararktsian), unrecognized

Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (chairman of NKR parliament Karen Baburian), Republic of

Azerbaijan (First Deputy Parliament Speaker Afiyaddin Jalilov) and Russia's representative to the

OSCE Minsk Group Vladimir Kazimirov.

While the Bishkek Protocol is yet still in action, incidents never ceased along the de facto border

between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan6.

3.1.4.1. OSCE

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe was from the beginning very interested in

the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. The OSCE has established, since 1992, the “Minsk Group”7, to

promote peace talks concerning the Armenian-Azeri conflict8. The Group is co-chaired by France,

Russia and the United States. From “CSCE BUDAPEST DOCUMENT 1994 TOWARDS A

GENUINE PARTNERSHIP IN A NEW ERA” the efforts of the Organization for peace are huge. The

escalation of violence during August 2014 led to immediate talks on behalf of all three co-Chairs of

the Minsk Group. The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan met with Vladimir Putin in Sochi, with

John Kerry in Newport and with Francois Holland in Paris. In all three of these meetings the two

countries pledged to pursue a political solution to the conflict. In 27 January 2015 the Co-Chairs of

the OSCE Minsk Group met with Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov in Krakow to

express the Group’s concerns about the violence in the Armenian-Azerbaijan borders and that these

acts are putting in danger the peace in Nagorno-Karabakh plus the OSCE called for a bilateral de-

escalation9.

3.1.4.2. The United Nations

Four UN Security Council Resolutions have been passed during the Nagorno-Karabakh war back in

199310 and in none the Security Council decided that there were situations that allow the use of the

Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

The United Nations adopted on March 14, 2008 at the 62nd session of the General Assembly the

United Nations General Assembly Resolution 62/243 , titled as "The Situation in the Occupied

Territories of Azerbaijan"11. It is very important to see that both on the preambulatory clauses and

the main clauses of the Resolution the UN Assembly is recognizing the political view given by the

Minsk Group. What is more important is that the UN calls for an immediate withdrawal of the

Armenian armed forces from the region. It is very important to mention that three permanent

members of the Security Council, France, the Russia Federation and the United States voted

against this draft to become a resolution12, while a huge number of States abstained. So far this is

the only decision of the UN Assembly for the Nagorno-Karabakh situation.

6 See at http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28626986

7See at http://www.osce.org/mg

8See at http://www.osce.org/mc/39554?download=true pages 16-18

9 See the official OSCE press release at http://www.osce.org/mg/136876

10 United Nations Security Council resolutions 822,853,874,884

11 For the Resolution see at http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/62/243

12 If you are interested in the decision and also to help you see your countries policy on the Nagorno-Karabakh situation see the UN press

http://www.osce.org/mc/39554?download=true

http://www.osce.org/mg/136876

http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/62/243



3.1.5. The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic13

The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is a landlocked exclave of the Republic of Azerbaijan

located between the southern borders of Armenia and the northern borders of Iran.

With the end of the Russo-Persian War in 1828 the Nakhchivan Khanate passed from Iranian into

Imperial Russian possession. From 1917 and for a year Nakhchivan was a part of the short-lived

Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic and with the rise of the Soviet Russia Nakhichivan

was a theatre of conflict between Armenian and Azeri populations14.

After two years of different occupations of the area, from the Ottomans to the British Empire, the

Nakhichevan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was formed on 16 March 1921 and became a

part of the Azerbaijan SSR on 9 February 1924.

Ever since the Nakhichevan became member of the Soviet Union, a struggle between Armenians

and Azeri began. The changes of the population’s mix in the area, like the similar case of Nagorno,

were rapid over the 70 years of Soviet domination. On the contrary with the Nagorno case, in

Nakhichevan the Azeri populations rise while Armenians migrated to the Armenian interior and other

areas of Armenian influence like Nagorno.

release at the

http://www.un.org/press/en/2008/ga10693.doc.htm 13

see at http://www.nakhchivan.az/portal-en/index-22.htm 14

Along with others areas , for ex. Nagorno-Karabakh



15 16

Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was given the status of the autonomous state within the

Azerbaijan Republic according to the Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic worked out by special

constitutional commission under the chairmanship of Heydar Aliyev, national leader of the

Azerbaijan people and received on November 12, 1995 by referendum.

3.1.5.1. OSCE

Towards a peaceful resolution of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict, building upon the work

accomplished by the joint peacekeeping forces (established under the Sochi Agreement as Joint

Peacekeeping and Law Enforcement Forces, JPLEF) from the “CSCE BUDAPEST DOCUMENT 1994

TOWARDS A GENUINE PARTNERSHIP IN A NEW ERA” the OSCE declared the importance of a viable

solution. During the OSCE Project Coordinator in Baku, OSCE was very interested in the case of

Nakhchivan conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Organization was extremely active with

the implementation of several programs such as Capacity building training sessions for NGOs,

training for civil society organizations, training law students, organizing workshop and international

fora for Media Freedom. On January 29, 2010, the Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the

15

constituted of the capital city Nakhchivan and 7 administrative regions-Sharur, Babak, Ordubad, Julfa, Kangarli, Shahbuz, Sadarak 16

Picture from google.com



Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic received Head of the OSCE Office in Baku. During this

appointment both officials made clear that although the relations were not good in the begging

between the two parties, there is a recent improvement. Yet there are still more to achieve.


The UN where interested at early stage about the situation in Nakhchivan. On February 02, 1993,

Mahmud Al-Said, the representative of UN in Azerbaijan paid a visit to Nakhchivan17. A month later

the representative of UN High Commissar on the work with refugees in the Republic of Azerbaijan

visited Nakhchivan in order to understand the situation of refugees. Efforts of the UN since then aim

mostly at the development, both economic and social, of the region via the United Nations

Development Program (UNDP). For that reason the most recent UN involvement of the UN was on

June 25, 2009 when the Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous

Republic received the resident coordinator of the United Nations in the Republic of Azerbaijan. A

mutual cooperation and relationship between the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan

and the United Nations International Organization for Migration was established in order to proceed

with the “Kahriz” (underground water-supply) program in the autonomous republic. Apart from these

actions there are no other projects or UN involvement in the Nakhchivan issue.

3.1.6. Abkhazia and South Ossetia

Abkhazia is located in the Western Caucasus, in the Black Sea. In 1864 Abkhazia was annexed to

the Russian Empire. After the Bolshevik revolution, Abkhazia gained a measure of autonomy,

before Stalin incorporated it into the Soviet Union republic of Georgia in 1931. Despite formally

remaining an autonomous republic of the USSR, there was very little sign of genuine autonomy, and

Abkhaz ethnic culture was suppressed in favors of Georgian. When in April 1991, Georgia declared

its independence from the USSR Abkhazians denied to comply. Zviad Gamsakhurdia, the first

president of independent Georgia, tried convincingly to annex Abkhazia but after the military coup in

early 1992, his successor, Eduard Shevardnadze failed to do so. The result was the War in

Abkhazia (1992–93). Prior to the 1992 War, Georgians made up nearly half of Abkhazia's

population, while less than one-fifth of the population was Abkhaz. Nearly the entire Georgian-

speaking population fled the republic in what Georgia describes as a campaign of ethnic cleansing.

Abkhazia declared itself an independent state in 1999 from Georgia, called the Republic of

Abkhazia or Apsny, resulting in an international economic embargo that is still in force.

During the Russian-Georgian War in 2008 Russian and Georgian troops battled for the control of

the region18. Russian army troops19 moved through Abkhazia and pushed into Georgia proper,

effectively using the region to open another front with Georgia. Meanwhile, Abkhaz forces drove

Georgian troops out of the only area of Abkhazia still under Georgian control the Kodori Gorge.

17

See at http://dmfa.nakhchivan.az/page.php?lang=eng&page=000202 18

See http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/road-to-war-in-georgia-the-chronicle-of-a-caucasian-tragedy-a-574812.html (accessed 22.08.2015)

19 Petro, Nicolai N. (2008). "Legal Case for Russian Intervention in Georgia". Fordham International Law Journal 32

http://dmfa.nakhchivan.az/page.php?lang=eng&page=000202

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/road-to-war-in-georgia-the-chronicle-of-a-caucasian-tragedy-a-574812.html



In 2014 Abkhazian Administration faced massive demonstrations that led to the resignation of

President Aleksandr Ankvab. The main reason for these demonstrations was poverty and

corruption. In November 2014, Putin moved to formalize the Abkhazian military's relationship as part

of the Russian armed forces, signing a controversial treaty with Khajimba20.

21

South Ossetia is a disputed region and partially recognized state in the South Caucasus. During the

Soviet Era the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast was an autonomous Oblast of the Soviet Union

created within the Georgian SSR on 20 April 1922. South Ossetia declared independence from

Georgia in 1990, calling itself the Republic of South Ossetia. Similarly with the Abkhazian issue

when Georgia declared its independence from the USSR South Ossetia resisted Georgian

domination. After the coup in Georgia South Ossetians were devastated and extremely hostile

against the Shevardnadze’s administration and so the South Ossetia War (1991–1992) occurred.

After the 2008 Russian-Georgian War Russia recognized South Ossetia along with Abkhazia on 26

August. In response, the Georgian government freeze diplomatic relations with Russia. Since the

war, Georgia has maintained that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are under Russian occupation and

remain, legally, part of Georgia.

3.1.6.1. OSCE

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe from the begging renounced the acts of

Russia on the 26 of August in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Finnish

Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said exactly

20

Farchy, Jack (24 November 2014). "Vladimir Putin signs treaty with Abkhazia and puts Tbilisi on edge". Financial Times. Retrieved 9 January 2015

21 Picture from google.com



"The recognition of independence for South Ossetia and Abkhazia violates fundamental OSCE

principles. As all OSCE participating States, Russia is committed to respecting the sovereignty and

territorial integrity of others."

"Russia should follow OSCE principles by respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of

Georgia. Russia should immediately withdraw all troops from Georgia and implement the ceasefire

agreement, including the modalities defined in the 16 August letter of French President Nicolas

Sarkozy. The international community cannot accept unilaterally established buffer zones,"

Before the incidents of 2008 the OSCE Mission to Georgia was established in 1992, assisted the

Georgian Government with conflict settlement, democratization, human rights and the rule of law in

the area. The Mission after 2008 was closed as there was no mandate from the interested parties.


The United Nations strongly condemn the intensive Russian military activity in the South Ossetia

region22 and in Abkhazia.

For the situation in Abkhazia the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed Resolution

1808 in April 2008. This was a Resolution that reaffirmed "the commitment of all member states of

the UN Charter to respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Georgia within its

internationally recognized borders. The United Nations established the United Nations Observer

Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG)2324. The mandate of the mission was repeatedly expanded every year

until 2009. A very important Resolution was recently adopted25 by the G.A. condemning the violation

of human rights of the refugees and in particular the right of displaced persons to return to their

homes and be respected26

4. Post Soviet Situations

4.1. Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria)

Transnistria is located in a land between the River Dniester and the eastern Moldovan border with

Ukraine. During the Soviet Era Transnistria was part of the called Moldovan Autonomous Soviet

Socialist Republic as an autonomous republic within the Ukrainian SSR but when the Moldavian

SSR was formed on August 2 1940 Transnistria became part of the new SSR. The tensions

between the various ethnic populations existed between Russian and Romanian/Moldavian

speakers but a key point that summarizes the pro- conflict era was on 31 August 1989, when then

Supreme Soviet of the Moldavian SSR adopted Moldovan as the only official language with Russian

retained only for secondary purposes. In a region where ethnic Moldovans accounted for less than

40% of population in 1989 while Russian and Ukrainian populations spoke Russia as mother tongue

it is understandable that spirits would rise up.

22

See UN press release about South Ossetia http://www.un.org/press/en/2008/sc9419.doc.htm 23

See at http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/unomig/index.html 24

More information about UNOMIG see at http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/past/unomig/background.html 25

See the text at http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/69/L.69 26

See the at http://www.un.org/press/en/2014/ga11514.doc.htm

http://www.un.org/press/en/2008/sc9419.doc.htm

http://www.un.org/press/en/2014/ga11514.doc.htm



The Declaration of Sovereignty of Moldova SSR from the Soviet Russia was signed in June 23,

1990. Not after a while the Transnistria War broke out in November 1990 at Dubăsari. This armed

conflict was between pro-Transnistria forces and pro-Moldovan forces. In assistance to pro-

Transnistria forces both Russia participated with army forces, while many Cossack units assigned

for this cause. Finally a ceasefire was declared on 21 July 1992, which has held.

27After the ceasefire the

region became de facto

independent with Tiraspol

as its declared capital. All

UN member states

consider Transnistria a

legal part of the Republic

of Moldova. Only the

other de facto states of

South Ossetia, Nagorno-

Karabakh, and Abkhazia

recognize it as a

sovereign entity after it

declared independence

from Moldova in 1990.

The Russian involvement

continues until today to

be strong in the region. Although on 21 October 1994, Russia and Moldova signed an agreement

that committed Russia to the withdrawal of the troops in three years from the date of entry into force

of the agreement. The reason was that the Duma (Russian Parliament) did not ratify the bilateral

agreement. Vladimir Putin after the signification of the ratification law for “The Treaty on

Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE)” on 2002 started to withdraw heavy artillery from the

region, but yet still the Russian military presence is strong.

4.1.1. OSCE

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe was very active about the situation in the

region. The OSCE Mission to Moldova28 was established in 1993. The OSCE mandate was in the

beginning to monitor the situation in 1999 and mostly the withdrawal of Russian troops. Over time,

the mission's work has expanded to other things such as arms control, advising Moldova’s

authorities on human rights questions, and election support. In the text of The Treaty on

Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE)29 there was a paragraph about the withdrawal of

Russian troops from Moldova. CFE was introduced in the OSCE Summit Declaration of Istanbul

27

Picture from google.com 28

See at http://www.osce.org/moldova 29

For the text of the CFE see at http://www.osce.org/mc/39569?download=true

http://www.osce.org/moldova



(1999). On the contrary with its obligations by the CFE Russia refused to comply with its

commitment at the OSCE summit in Istanbul to withdraw its forces from Transnistria by the end of

200230.

On December 2013 OSCE Ministerial Council in Kyiv, all 57 OSCE member States reaffirmed their

determination31 to achieve a viable solution of the Transnistrian conflict through negotiation and

with high respect to sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova while Transnistria will have a

special status within Moldova.

4.1.2. The United Nations

The United Nations have not recognized the Transnistria as an independent State but still consider

it as a region of Moldova. The UN have a major interest for the region in matter of social cohesion

and human rights (especially human trafficking). On 14 February 2013 the High Commissioner for

Human Rights Navi Pillay after recent visits to the region and meetings with de facto officials said in

a press release:

“Human rights do not have any borders. It is vital to address underlying human rights issues in

disputed territories, regardless of the political recognition or the legal status of a territory”

“We should neither forget nor neglect the human rights of people who live in areas which, for

various reasons, are controlled by de facto authorities,”

The UN Democracy Fund32 has promoted a project “BRINGING TOGETHER GOVERNMENT AND

CIVIL SOCIETY IN MOLDOVA AND UKRAINE” in association with Euclid Network NGO33. The

project emphasizes in strengthening existing mechanisms for government-civil society cooperation

‘civic councils’, with special reference to Transnistria.

4.2 Crimea and the Federal State of Novorossiya

Ukraine’s relationship with the Russia Federation even from the times of the USSR has always been

in a tense. The last years Ukraine tried a different approach in order to turn western towards the

European Union. After the election of President Viktor Yanukovych the country's policy gradually

changed towards the Russian Federation. This political decision was the main reason that the pro-

Europe Ukrainian populations begun a struggle to change this swift. After massive demonstrations,

30

Transnistria: Another Domino on Russia’s Periphery? By, Achilles Skordas YALE JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONALAFFAIRS http://www.yale.edu/yjia/articles/Vol_1_Iss_1_Summer2005/SkordasFinal.pdf

31 See the draft at http://photos.state.gov/libraries/adana/5/kyivdecisions/transdniestria.pdf

32 See at http://www.un.org/democracyfund/

33 See article at http://www.un.org/democracyfund/sites/www.un.org.democracyfund/files/UNDEF_Update7.pdf



with the most famous ones in the Euromaidan, Yanukovych was forced to flee the country.

34

Ukraine’s link with Russia as a matter of culture is strong. Eastern Ukraine is populated by ethnically

Russian groups. After Yanukovych flee anti-demonstrations were fired in eastern Ukraine, which

was the political “castle” of the former President. Quickly these demonstrations became pro-Russian

and separatist movements started to act. Large cities such as Donetsk, Luhansk,Kharkiv became

under the control of those rebels and were from now on cities of the Federal State of Novorossiya .

The Ukrainian army reacted with a delay but managed to recapture the most of the regions. By that

time there are many suspicions about the presence of Russian military. Finally the Federal State of

Novorossiya was created by the coalition/membership of the Lugansk People's Republic and the

Donetsk People's Republic35.

The Crimean Peninsula was very important to Russia since the time of the Imperial Russia. From

the times of the Crimean Khanate Russia was interested in the geostrategic position, as the exit to

the Mediterranean. During the times of the USSR Crimea was under Ukrainian control 1954–2014.

Russia maintained a naval base in Sevastopol and the population in Crimea was predominantly pro-

Russian. With the general uprising in the mainland Ukrainian troops had to move to Kiev and so

34

Picture from www.eurasiangeopolitics.com (accessed 20.08.2015) 35

No country recognized Novorossiya as a sovereign state or political entity. Only two of its components, the Lugansk People's Republic and the Donetsk People's Republic, were recognized on 18 June and 27 June 2014 respectively by South Ossetia

http://www.eurasiangeopolitics.com/



Ukrainian military was not enough in the region to stop the rebel and local militia. The Crimean

locals were soon joined by well-equipped professional army, without any insignia. These forces

were later confirmed to have been Russian troops. In March 2014 the local authorities approved

Crimea's secession from Ukraine and subsequently held a referendum that decided in favor of

unification with the Russian Federation. This referendum was not recognized by most of western

States along with the Ukrainian Government. The Treaty on Accession of the Republic of Crimea to

Russia was signed between representatives of the Republic of Crimea and the Russian Federation

on 18 March and it was ratified by the Federal Assembly by 21 March. Even though no western

state recognizes the annexation of Crimea by the Russia Federation, Crimea has de facto Russian

administration, except Ukrainian-controlled part of Arabat Spit.

4.2.1. OSCE

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe has established three missions in

Ukraine, the Project Coordinator in Ukraine36, the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine37 and the

Observer Mission at the Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk38. OSCE was very interested

and heavily invoked to the crisis, even for the referendum in Crimea39 calling it illegal. It is

noteworthy that Ukraine from the begging asked for OSCE missions in order to de-escalate the

crisis. This shows the importance of the OSCE and the role that the Organization can play.

4.2.2. The United Nations

The UN have a very different approach than OSCE. Although The General Assembly did pass the

Resolution A/RES/68/262 in April 2014 expressing support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine and

denying the legitimacy of the referendum for the unification of Crimea with Russia thing are not that

easy when it comes to the Security Council, the institution that has the power to authorize the use of

force under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. In order to pass a resolution that condemns the Russia

activity in eastern Ukraine and Crimea there has to be a majority including the concurring vote of the

five permanent members of the Security Council40.

5. Conclusions

The situation in Caucasus is very fragile. Recent events, the number of States involved and the

minor independent States (de facto) make the necessary mix of politics a very difficult and a very

challenging issue. There is a lack of confidence, until now, that those de facto entities along with

their allies are looking forward to promote stability and security in the region. It is significant that

there are no reliable sources about the number of deaths and victims of human rights violations and

that there is also a huge decline from both opposite sides. Also in all those areas there is a lack of

effectiveness of domestic/local institutions that are unable to promote social stability, rehabilitation

36

See at http://www.osce.org/ukraine 37

See at http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm 38

See at http://www.osce.org/om 39

See the statement of OSCE Chair http://www.osce.org/cio/116313 40

The five permanent members of the Security Council (France, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Russian Federation, People’s Republic of China and the United States of America) acquire according to the Charter of the United Nations, the veto power, meaning that each substantial vote on a decision of the Council must necessarily gather, apart from the needed majority, all five votes of the P5 in order to count as successful.

http://www.osce.org/ukraine

http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm

http://www.osce.org/om



and promote peace. There is sure a huge feeling of hostility and mistrust among the administrations

and the local populations and this was the issue on many cases that OSCE’s missions had to deal

with. The Organization aims to assist peacekeeping and cohesion within its mandate as the current

status quo of the Caucasus is close for another round of acts of hostile between the Caucasian

States.

The situation in Transnistria is very similar to the reality of Caucasus. What is very important in this

case is that Russia is already obligated about the issue of presence of Russian military troops. The

lack of stability in the region must be eliminated and Russia has to follow its obligations that exist

since OSCE’s Summit in Istanbul on 1999 and demilitarize the region. Furthermore the de facto

government of the region has to respect the principle that human rights must be respected no

matter the legal status of Transnistria. The de facto government must be assisted to protect victims

and future victims of human trafficking and OSCE participating States must provide via the

Organization every possible aid.

On the other side of the Black Sea, Ukraine has been for long plagued with the scourge of war and

conflict. Human loses are counted each and every day, whereas there is no short-term prospect for

the return to serenity and prosperity seems a long shot. This is exactly why peace and stability in

both regions must be the goal and the only way is to proceed via the forum of O.S.C.E. with respect

to national sovereignty and diplomatic courtesy.

The Ministers must do everything possible in their power and in the framework of both O.S.C.E.

practices and international law to assist local populations in order to protect minorities. All the tools

available by O.S.C.E must be used in order to heal the wounds as fast as possible. The

enforcement, also, of the rule of law and the respect of human rights are of vital importance. Yet it is

necessary in the planning to make sure that the Ministers abide by the principles of international law

and the mandate entrusted upon them.

6. Ideas for propositions

Below are some essential topics that are important for a constructive debate during the sessions of

the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe of Rhodes Model Regional Cooperation

2015 and the Presidency encourages you to deal during the formal and un-formal discussions for

topic area A.

Presence of international organizations in the region.

Assist for the security of international Observers in the regions

Potential of partial or complete demilitarization in areas with fragile peace

The impact of the conflicts to the populations of the area and ways to ameliorate that

situation

Designing a structured response with regard of all possibilities open to the organization;

border control, humanitarian assistance and aid

Ways to alleviate the negative impact on the populations of the region

Programs for education, employment and fighting poverty

Protection of minorities



A possible restart of the OSCE Missions

Promote negotiations for the establishment of long lasted peace and the maintenance of

social cohesion

Deescalate the diplomatic crisis between all the parties

Possible increase of Peacekeeping Forces



7. Bibliography

Governments and international organizations

www.president.am/en/karabakh-nkr/

www.osce.org

www.un.org

www.nakhchivan.az

http://countrystudies.us/azerbaijan/16.htm

News agencies

www.bbc.com

Financial Times. Retrieved 9 January 2015

www.spiegel.de

www.eurasiangeopolitics.com

Academic Resources

Thomas de Waal, Black Garden: Armenia and Azerbaijan through Peace and War. New York: New

York University Press (2003)

Petro, Nicolai N., "Legal Case for Russian Intervention in Georgia". Fordham International Law

Journal 32 (2008)

Achilles Skordas, Transnistria: Another Domino on Russia’s Periphery? YALE JOURNAL OF

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (2005)

Additional research material

For the purpose of assistance to each country’s policy in order to present it properly via the position

papers further research materials are provided

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/

Always consult your country’s ministries sites for press releases on the each case

Check what your country voted, commented in the resolutions mentioned in the main corpus

or the footnotes of study guides

Use the urls (links) of articles given to you (footnotes) and try to find similar articles from

reliable resources (for ex. About Novorossiya check

http://www.president.am/en/karabakh-nkr/

http://www.osce.org/

http://www.un.org/

http://www.nakhchivan.az/

http://countrystudies.us/azerbaijan/16.htm

http://www.bbc.com/

http://www.spiegel.de/

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/



http://eurasiangeopolitics.com/2014/09/13/novorossiya-in-the-donbas-a-bad-outcome-for-

all/)

Click on the OSCE’s special missions (if existing) to see the stance of your country’s towards

each situation

http://eurasiangeopolitics.com/2014/09/13/novorossiya-in-the-donbas-a-bad-outcome-for-all/

http://eurasiangeopolitics.com/2014/09/13/novorossiya-in-the-donbas-a-bad-outcome-for-all/

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