Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Sixth Armenia - European Union Cooperation Council

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Sixth Armenia - European Union Cooperation Council

    MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
    ------------------------------------------ ----
    PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
    375010 Telephone: +3741. 544041 ext 202
    Fax: +3741. .562543
    Email: [email protected]:
    www.armeniaforeignministry.am

    PRESS RELEASE

    14 September 2004

    Sixth Armenia - European Union Cooperation Council Held in Brussels

    On September 14, the sixth meeting of the European Union - Armenia
    Cooperation Council took place in Brussels. Armenia's Foreign Minister
    Vartan Oskanian lead the Armenian delegation. Foreign Minister
    Bernard Bot of the Netherlands, whose country currently holds the EU
    presidency, headed the EU delegation.

    This annual meeting was the first official one to take place following
    Armenia's inclusion in the European Neighborhood Policy last June. The
    agenda included a discussion of that new approach to the Caucasus,
    economic and political reforms, energy and regional issues, and
    prospects for deeper cooperation.

    Armenia's foreign minister welcomed Armenia's inclusion (together with
    the other two republics of the South Caucasus) in the Neighborhood
    Policy, and affirmed Armenia's readiness to work with the EU to
    correctly identify Armenia's needs and priorities and work together to
    benefit from the EU's experience and resources. The Minister explained
    that even as Armenia has embarked on a plan to approximate Armenia's
    legislation to EU standards, Armenia is prepared to go ahead with
    additional legislative reforms.

    The EU delegation noted Armenia's successful political and economic
    reforms, noting that there must be continuity in order for Armenia
    to fulfill its international commitments. The Armenian delegation
    commented on Armenia's high economic growth of the last several years,
    and affirmed Armenia's efforts to sustain such growth in order to
    continue to decrease the poverty level. Armenia also reiterated its
    intention to obtain Market Economy Status from the EU, in order to
    more confidently pursue exports and trade with Europe.

    The issue of Armenia's nuclear power plant and its eventual closure
    was also on the EU agenda. Armenia reiterated its commitment to
    ensuring the plant's safety, even as efforts are undertaken to secure
    alternative energy sources.

    The two sides agreed to explore the possibility of establishing
    a subcommittee to deal with issues relating to scientific and
    technological research, as well as furthering the established exchange
    and collaboration that exists between the two scientific communities.

    Regional cooperation, conflict resolution and stability were at the
    focus of the discussions. The Armenia-European Union Cooperation
    Council also addressed the Nagorno Karabakh resolution process,
    as well as the need to positively engage Turkey in regional processes.

    The Armenian delegation included deputy ministers of Trade and Economic
    Development, Finance and Energy. The European delegation included
    the European Union's Special Representative to the South Caucasus,
    Ambassador Heikki Talvitie, and Nicolas Schmit, Minister Delegate
    for Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Luxembourg, which next holds
    the EU Presidency.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Working...
X