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Parliament Chairman Reiterates That Armenia's Future Is With EU AndN

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  • Parliament Chairman Reiterates That Armenia's Future Is With EU AndN

    PARLIAMENT CHAIRMAN REITERATES THAT ARMENIA'S FUTURE IS WITH EU AND NATO AND NOT RUSSIA

    Armenpress
    May 2 2006

    YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS: Armenian parliament chairman Arthur
    Baghdasarian has confirmed today his earlier remarks that he sees
    Armenia's future as a member of the European Union and NATO. In a
    late April interview to a German Frankfurter Allgemaine newspaper
    Baghdasarian had said Armenia's future was with EU and NATO and that
    Russia should not stand on its way towards closer integration with
    the West.

    Before the opening of a recurrent parliament session today Baghdasarian
    was asked by lawmakers to explain his remarks. "My words were about
    Armenia's future, and I believe it is the direction (integration
    with Europe) Armenia must follow," Baghdasarian said adding that he
    is well aware of Armenia's current foreign policy agenda, which does
    not embrace Armenia's joining NATO.

    Baghdasarian went on to explain that his words were about Armenia's
    long-range policy, 'because a country needs from 20 to 30 years to
    pass the road of European integration.' "I see the future of Armenia
    with EU and not with Russia-Belarus Union," Baghdasarian said.

    Baghdasarian argued that Armenia's persistent integration with Europe
    does not mean strained relations with Russia. "I am not an advocate
    of confronting Russia with western values. If Russia is trying to
    deepen its relations with NATO why should Armenia avoid it," he said.

    Baghdasarian's remarks were retaliated by president Kocharian who said
    in an interview with a local newspaper that Armenia's membership in
    the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and its military and
    technical cooperation with Russia were enough to ensure the country's
    national security. Baghdasarian reminded today of Armenia's Individual
    Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) with NATO, describing it as a' serious
    document envisaging institutional and legislative reforms."

    Baghdasarian argued there was no difference between his publicly
    expressed ideas and those of other two members of the ruling coalition
    and the president, but added his Orinats Yerkir would walk out of
    the coalition in the event of serious controversies with coalition
    partners.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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