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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
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PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
www.armeniaforeignministry.am
PRESS RELEASE
27-04-2007
Minister Oskanian Meets with
Top Officials of the Council of the EU and the European Commission
On April 27, Minister Vartan Oskanian, in Brussels on working visit, met
with Javier Solana, Secretary General of the Council of the EU, and High
Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, as well as the
European Commission's Commissioner for External Relations and European
Neighborhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and with Commissioner for EU
Enlargement, Olli Rehn.
Meeting with EU General Secretary Solana, Minister Oskanian expressed
Armenia's readiness to deepen political dialogue with the EU, and they both
assessed highly the cooperation that exists between the EU and Armenia.
The two reviewed the details of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement
process, and focused on the results of the recent meeting held between the
Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in Belgrade. Armenia's Foreign
Minister stressed that if Azerbaijan demonstrates political will, it will
be possible to register success in the future.
In this context, Minister Oskanian reaffirmed the Armenian position on the
GUAM resolution at the UN General Assembly, noting the negative impact of
this initiative on the negotiation process. The two also exchanged views on
Armenia-Turkey relations and on recent developments in EU - Iran
negotiations over nuclear issues.
Minister Oskanian also met with European Commissioner for External Relations
and European Neighborhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner. They presented
some details on ENP Action Plan for Armenia. The Commissioner expressed
satisfaction at the progress in identification of projects and said that the
European Commission expects Armenia to present Action Plan priorities.
Minister Oskanian stressed that the presence of a permanent EC delegation in
Armenia would help make these processes more efficient.
The two also discussed issues related to theSouth Caucasus, especially
stressing the need to create a favorable atmosphere for regional
cooperation. In this regard, the Armenian Minister underscored the
importance of the EC's clear position against the construction of the
proposed Kars-Akhalkalaki railroad, even as one currently exists running
through Armenia, which Armenia has said is available for use without Armenia
benefiting from the process, even.
The Commissioner also mentioned the upcoming Parliamentary elections in
Armenia, expressing her satisfaction at the favorable conditions which have
been created for the productive work of European Parliament Election
Observation Mission to Armenia. The two stressed the significance of free
and fair elections for the future of Armenia's EU integration processes.
At the conclusion of meeting, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner invited Minister
Oskanian to take part in a meeting of EU Neighborhood Policy partner states
foreign ministers, on September 3.
Minsiter Oskanian also held a meeting with Olli Rehn, Commissioner for EU
Enlargement. During the meeting, the two spoke of regional issues, as well
as of current state of Armenia -Turkey relations. Minister Oskanian
confirmed that there has not been any progress recently and again stressed
the importance of open borders between the two countries and the abolition
of Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code.
Commissioner Rehn described the Turkey's EU membership process at the
current stage and the European Commission's position regarding the process.
On April 27 - 29, together with several dozen diplomats, opinion and policy
makers from both sides of the Atlantic, Minister Oskanian participated in
the Brussels Forum 2007, and was one of four main speakers in a panel
entitled "Baltic to the Wider Black Sea: The New EuroAtlantic Challenge?"
------------------------------------------ ----
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
www.armeniaforeignministry.am
PRESS RELEASE
27-04-2007
Minister Oskanian Meets with
Top Officials of the Council of the EU and the European Commission
On April 27, Minister Vartan Oskanian, in Brussels on working visit, met
with Javier Solana, Secretary General of the Council of the EU, and High
Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, as well as the
European Commission's Commissioner for External Relations and European
Neighborhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and with Commissioner for EU
Enlargement, Olli Rehn.
Meeting with EU General Secretary Solana, Minister Oskanian expressed
Armenia's readiness to deepen political dialogue with the EU, and they both
assessed highly the cooperation that exists between the EU and Armenia.
The two reviewed the details of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement
process, and focused on the results of the recent meeting held between the
Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in Belgrade. Armenia's Foreign
Minister stressed that if Azerbaijan demonstrates political will, it will
be possible to register success in the future.
In this context, Minister Oskanian reaffirmed the Armenian position on the
GUAM resolution at the UN General Assembly, noting the negative impact of
this initiative on the negotiation process. The two also exchanged views on
Armenia-Turkey relations and on recent developments in EU - Iran
negotiations over nuclear issues.
Minister Oskanian also met with European Commissioner for External Relations
and European Neighborhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner. They presented
some details on ENP Action Plan for Armenia. The Commissioner expressed
satisfaction at the progress in identification of projects and said that the
European Commission expects Armenia to present Action Plan priorities.
Minister Oskanian stressed that the presence of a permanent EC delegation in
Armenia would help make these processes more efficient.
The two also discussed issues related to theSouth Caucasus, especially
stressing the need to create a favorable atmosphere for regional
cooperation. In this regard, the Armenian Minister underscored the
importance of the EC's clear position against the construction of the
proposed Kars-Akhalkalaki railroad, even as one currently exists running
through Armenia, which Armenia has said is available for use without Armenia
benefiting from the process, even.
The Commissioner also mentioned the upcoming Parliamentary elections in
Armenia, expressing her satisfaction at the favorable conditions which have
been created for the productive work of European Parliament Election
Observation Mission to Armenia. The two stressed the significance of free
and fair elections for the future of Armenia's EU integration processes.
At the conclusion of meeting, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner invited Minister
Oskanian to take part in a meeting of EU Neighborhood Policy partner states
foreign ministers, on September 3.
Minsiter Oskanian also held a meeting with Olli Rehn, Commissioner for EU
Enlargement. During the meeting, the two spoke of regional issues, as well
as of current state of Armenia -Turkey relations. Minister Oskanian
confirmed that there has not been any progress recently and again stressed
the importance of open borders between the two countries and the abolition
of Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code.
Commissioner Rehn described the Turkey's EU membership process at the
current stage and the European Commission's position regarding the process.
On April 27 - 29, together with several dozen diplomats, opinion and policy
makers from both sides of the Atlantic, Minister Oskanian participated in
the Brussels Forum 2007, and was one of four main speakers in a panel
entitled "Baltic to the Wider Black Sea: The New EuroAtlantic Challenge?"