Tweet
EU CONTINUES ITS EFFORTS TO ENSURE PARTICIPATION OF ALL REGIONAL
COUNTRIES IN PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED IN SOUTH CAUCASUS
YEREVAN, MARCH 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The Special Representative of the
European Union Peter Semneby was received on March 2 by the Armenian
Prime Minister Andranik Margarian. During the meeting, the head of the
Armenian government and the EU special representative spoke about
Armenia-EU relations, the upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia,
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, as well as about issues
related to Armenia's relations with neighboring countries, and the
regional cooperation. Underlining the importance of adoption of
EU-Armenia Action Plan in terms of further deepening of our country's
Eurointegration process, the prime minister assured that both at the
plan's development stage and after its adoption in late 2007, the
Armenian government has been prepared to make efforts for its
efficient implementation. A. Margarian attached importance to the EU
special representative's visit within the framework of the EU policy
on extension and strengthening of the European Neighborhood
Program. It is also envisaged to further deepen the economic
component, taking into account the fact that EU is one of Armenia's
biggest trade partners. A. Margarian and P. Semneby were unanimous in
the opinion that after adoption of Eu-Armenia Action Plan, the
parliamentary elections to be held in Armenia will have a decisive
importance for democratization of Armenia and its further cooperation
with the EU. Holding elections in line with international standards is
considered important not only for Armenia but also for the South
Caucasus within the European Neighborhood Policy. A. Margarian said
that the political will of both the authorities and the opposition is
important in this issue so that the political force to receive a vote
of confidence will be able to implement its programs without
difficulty. He said that the authorities and the political forces
responsible for them have such a desire and will, being aware that
this is first of all necessary for our people and state in order to
ensure stable democratic development. Pointing out the significance of
EU's role in development of the regional cooperation and welcoming its
approach which does not favor bypassing any country, in the given case
- Armenia, in implemention of regional programs in the South Caucasus,
A. Margarian in this connection expressed concern, in particular,
over the Kars-Akhalkalak railway construction project, saying that
full regional cooperation is possible only in case of involvement of
all countries of the region. Mr. Semneby in his turn assured that the
EU is continuing to make efforts for opening borders of regional
countries, including the Turkish-Armenian border, ensuring the
participation of all regional countries in projects implemented in the
South Caucasus, which is also, according to him, a priority of the
European Neighborhood Policy. Peter Semneby expressed a hope that
thanks to joint efforts it will be possible to develop the EU-Armenia
Action Plan at the regional cooperation level as well. Acoording to
the RA Government Information and PR Department, during the meeting
the sides also addressed the Nagorno Karabakh problem. In this
connection the EU representative expressed a hope that negotiation
process aimed at the conflict settlement will be crowned with success
due to efforts of all the parties.
COUNTRIES IN PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED IN SOUTH CAUCASUS
YEREVAN, MARCH 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The Special Representative of the
European Union Peter Semneby was received on March 2 by the Armenian
Prime Minister Andranik Margarian. During the meeting, the head of the
Armenian government and the EU special representative spoke about
Armenia-EU relations, the upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia,
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, as well as about issues
related to Armenia's relations with neighboring countries, and the
regional cooperation. Underlining the importance of adoption of
EU-Armenia Action Plan in terms of further deepening of our country's
Eurointegration process, the prime minister assured that both at the
plan's development stage and after its adoption in late 2007, the
Armenian government has been prepared to make efforts for its
efficient implementation. A. Margarian attached importance to the EU
special representative's visit within the framework of the EU policy
on extension and strengthening of the European Neighborhood
Program. It is also envisaged to further deepen the economic
component, taking into account the fact that EU is one of Armenia's
biggest trade partners. A. Margarian and P. Semneby were unanimous in
the opinion that after adoption of Eu-Armenia Action Plan, the
parliamentary elections to be held in Armenia will have a decisive
importance for democratization of Armenia and its further cooperation
with the EU. Holding elections in line with international standards is
considered important not only for Armenia but also for the South
Caucasus within the European Neighborhood Policy. A. Margarian said
that the political will of both the authorities and the opposition is
important in this issue so that the political force to receive a vote
of confidence will be able to implement its programs without
difficulty. He said that the authorities and the political forces
responsible for them have such a desire and will, being aware that
this is first of all necessary for our people and state in order to
ensure stable democratic development. Pointing out the significance of
EU's role in development of the regional cooperation and welcoming its
approach which does not favor bypassing any country, in the given case
- Armenia, in implemention of regional programs in the South Caucasus,
A. Margarian in this connection expressed concern, in particular,
over the Kars-Akhalkalak railway construction project, saying that
full regional cooperation is possible only in case of involvement of
all countries of the region. Mr. Semneby in his turn assured that the
EU is continuing to make efforts for opening borders of regional
countries, including the Turkish-Armenian border, ensuring the
participation of all regional countries in projects implemented in the
South Caucasus, which is also, according to him, a priority of the
European Neighborhood Policy. Peter Semneby expressed a hope that
thanks to joint efforts it will be possible to develop the EU-Armenia
Action Plan at the regional cooperation level as well. Acoording to
the RA Government Information and PR Department, during the meeting
the sides also addressed the Nagorno Karabakh problem. In this
connection the EU representative expressed a hope that negotiation
process aimed at the conflict settlement will be crowned with success
due to efforts of all the parties.