Tweet
FINNISH PRESIDENT PLEASED WITH RESULTS OF VISIT TO ARMENIA
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan, in Armenian
27 Sep 05
[Presenter] Finnish President Tarja Halonen and her husband are
paying a two-day visit to Armenia at the invitation of Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan.
The Armenian and Finnish presidents held a tete-a-tete meeting at the
Armenian president's residency this morning after the official
reception of the high-ranking guest. The leaders of the two countries
discussed bilateral relations between Armenia and Finland,
cooperation between the European Union and Armenia, as well as
regional problems.
The sides also exchanged views on pressing international problems.
The Finnish president hailed Armenia's involvement in the European
Union's New Neighbourhood programme and noted that Finland is paying
great attention to issues of expanding relations with the South
Caucasus countries, especially as Finland will take over the
presidency of the European Union next year.
Kocharyan and Halonen also discussed the future directions of
economic cooperation between the two countries and opportunities of
their intensification. On the same day, Kocharyan and Halonen held a
joint news conference.
[Kocharyan] We discussed bilateral relations between the two
countries. I expressed my satisfaction with our political
discussions, and we specially stressed issues that will stimulate
economic cooperation. Moreover, our relations can expand in the
context of relations with the European Union and I hope that we will
receive assistance from the Finnish side in preparing our action
programme within the framework of the New Neighbourhood programme. I
informed the Finnish president about the negotiating processes on the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. This is her first visit to Armenia as
president. But she is well-informed about the settlement of the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict and its history.
We discussed regional problems, Armenian-Turkish relations and a
number of other issues. I am pleased with the volume of the
discussions which were successful.
[Halonen, speaking in English with Armenian voice-over] I am also
pleased with my visit. It is important when presidents meet. This is
a high-level political meeting. I regard prospects for economic
cooperation at the current stage as being important. There are two
important documents on this sphere which are being prepared at the
moment. This is an agreement on protecting investments and an
agreement on avoiding double taxation. They are important for
businessmen.
I am also aware of the process of settling the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict and I encouraged President Kocharyan to continue his efforts
and take further steps towards a final solution to this problem.
I congratulated the Armenian government on progress made in
cooperation with the European Union, especially within the framework
of the New Neighbourhood programme.
I think that the document on cooperation within the framework of the
New Neighbourhood programme will be prepared by Armenia when Finland
takes over the European Union's presidency next year.
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan, in Armenian
27 Sep 05
[Presenter] Finnish President Tarja Halonen and her husband are
paying a two-day visit to Armenia at the invitation of Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan.
The Armenian and Finnish presidents held a tete-a-tete meeting at the
Armenian president's residency this morning after the official
reception of the high-ranking guest. The leaders of the two countries
discussed bilateral relations between Armenia and Finland,
cooperation between the European Union and Armenia, as well as
regional problems.
The sides also exchanged views on pressing international problems.
The Finnish president hailed Armenia's involvement in the European
Union's New Neighbourhood programme and noted that Finland is paying
great attention to issues of expanding relations with the South
Caucasus countries, especially as Finland will take over the
presidency of the European Union next year.
Kocharyan and Halonen also discussed the future directions of
economic cooperation between the two countries and opportunities of
their intensification. On the same day, Kocharyan and Halonen held a
joint news conference.
[Kocharyan] We discussed bilateral relations between the two
countries. I expressed my satisfaction with our political
discussions, and we specially stressed issues that will stimulate
economic cooperation. Moreover, our relations can expand in the
context of relations with the European Union and I hope that we will
receive assistance from the Finnish side in preparing our action
programme within the framework of the New Neighbourhood programme. I
informed the Finnish president about the negotiating processes on the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. This is her first visit to Armenia as
president. But she is well-informed about the settlement of the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict and its history.
We discussed regional problems, Armenian-Turkish relations and a
number of other issues. I am pleased with the volume of the
discussions which were successful.
[Halonen, speaking in English with Armenian voice-over] I am also
pleased with my visit. It is important when presidents meet. This is
a high-level political meeting. I regard prospects for economic
cooperation at the current stage as being important. There are two
important documents on this sphere which are being prepared at the
moment. This is an agreement on protecting investments and an
agreement on avoiding double taxation. They are important for
businessmen.
I am also aware of the process of settling the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict and I encouraged President Kocharyan to continue his efforts
and take further steps towards a final solution to this problem.
I congratulated the Armenian government on progress made in
cooperation with the European Union, especially within the framework
of the New Neighbourhood programme.
I think that the document on cooperation within the framework of the
New Neighbourhood programme will be prepared by Armenia when Finland
takes over the European Union's presidency next year.