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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
------------------------------------------ ----
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Government House # 2, Republic Square
Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
www.armeniaforeignministry.am
PRESS RELEASE
02-10-2006
Minister Oskanian Meets with EU Troika Delegation
On October 2, Minister Oskanian received an EU delegation led by Erkki
Tuomioja, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Finland, representing the
Finnish Presidency of the European Union. The delegation included Gunter
Gloser, State Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany, which will take
over the EU Presidency in early 2007, and also Ambassador Torben Holze, who
represented the European Commission.
The delegation representing the troika expressed satisfaction with the
elaboration of the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan, as well as the
conclusion of all consultations.
Minister Oskanian and members of the delegation exchanged views on a number
of regional issues, as well as the current situation in Lebanon and Iran,
and Armenia's relations with Turkey. At the Finnish Foreign Minister's
request, Minister Oskanian described the current status of the Nagorno
Karabakh resolution process.
Following the meeting, a signing ceremony featured the Armenian and Finnish
Foreign Ministers as well as Ambassador Holze. During the joint press
conference that followed, Minister Oskanian welcomed the guests and the
occasion of their visit.
"We welcome the Finnish Presidency here, in the person of my friend, Erkki
Tuomioja, the Finnish FM, and the representative of the European Commission,
Torben Holze, representing Benita Ferrero Waldner who called to say she
could not be here, because of local political commitments in Austria. Thanks
also to Ambassador Terhi Hakala whose tireless efforts have brought us to
this day, and also want to recognize Ambassador Peter Semneby, the EU
Special Representative to the South Caucasus. Although this document will be
signed in November, in Brussels, we appreciate the delegation's coming here
to Armenia, so that our public can share in this historic occasion," he
began.
"I would also like to thank the NGOs and civil society for their engagement
and involvement in enhancing the content and make it more representative of
the wishes of our society.
"Once the document is signed, we'll be able to publicly present the entire
document. Let me just tell you that it says clearly, at the outset, that
through this Action Plan, Armenia is invited to enter into intensified
political, security, economic and cultural relations with the EU, enhanced
regional and cross border co-operation and shared responsibility in conflict
prevention and conflict resolution. And the document goes on to detail each
of these categories, and sets a 5-year time period during which each of
these actions will take place. This is a huge opportunity for Armenia to
become the beneficiary of a tried and true process to change what needs to
be changed, re-enforce and confirm that which needs to be affirmed - in a
word to strengthen the institutions of state," the Minister said.
Minister Oskanian explained the distinction of this document, saying "it
involves significant measures of economic integration and political
cooperation. It's called an Action Plan and rightly so. It is not just a
document of intentions, but of concrete actions to bring Armenia's social,
political, economic systems more in line with Europe's since the premise is
that we do in fact live in the same neighborhood and interact together. It
opens new partnership perspectives in very basic fields such as science,
education, culture, and of course in economic development."
He concluded by stressing the significance of the reforms. "These reforms
are extremely important for Armenia. We are where we are today, exactly
because we made the courageous economic reforms on Day 1 of our
independence. We knew then and we know even better today that reforms are
our only resource, they are what will strengthen and empower our society.
This document provides the opportunity to move forward with reforms in a
focused, strategic way. It gives us a way and a means to do what we know we
must do - revamp our institutions, retool our society, rethink our methods
and assumptions. We are signing this on the 15th year of our independence,
it will be concluded on the 20th year of our independence, and we will be
able to mark a new turning point in Armenia's future as a more democratic,
open and prosperous society," the Minister said. Foreign Minister Tuomioja
joined in welcoming the conclusion of consultations on the ENP Action Plan.
It is expected that the official signing will take place in Brussels in
November, during Armenia's annual Partnership and Cooperation Agreement
consultations.
The statement signed by the two ministers and the Commission representative
reads:
The Foreign Ministers' Troika of the European Union and Armenia welcome the
successful outcome of consultations on the European Neighbourhood Policy
Action Plan, started in November 2005.
In connection with the visit of the Foreign Ministers' troika of the
European Union to Armenia, the two sides note that an agreement in principle
has been reached on a final ENP Action Plan text. The necessary steps can
now be taken in order to prepare the formal adoption of the Action Plan at
the next EU-Armenia Cooperation Council, to be held on the 14th of November
in Brussels.
The European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan is a significant step towards
an increasingly close relationship between the EU and Armenia, going beyond
co-operation, to involve a significant measure of economic integration and
deepening of political co-operation. The European Union and Armenia are
determined to make use of this occasion to enhance their relations and to
promote prosperity, stability, and security.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
------------------------------------------ ----
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Government House # 2, Republic Square
Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
www.armeniaforeignministry.am
PRESS RELEASE
02-10-2006
Minister Oskanian Meets with EU Troika Delegation
On October 2, Minister Oskanian received an EU delegation led by Erkki
Tuomioja, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Finland, representing the
Finnish Presidency of the European Union. The delegation included Gunter
Gloser, State Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany, which will take
over the EU Presidency in early 2007, and also Ambassador Torben Holze, who
represented the European Commission.
The delegation representing the troika expressed satisfaction with the
elaboration of the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan, as well as the
conclusion of all consultations.
Minister Oskanian and members of the delegation exchanged views on a number
of regional issues, as well as the current situation in Lebanon and Iran,
and Armenia's relations with Turkey. At the Finnish Foreign Minister's
request, Minister Oskanian described the current status of the Nagorno
Karabakh resolution process.
Following the meeting, a signing ceremony featured the Armenian and Finnish
Foreign Ministers as well as Ambassador Holze. During the joint press
conference that followed, Minister Oskanian welcomed the guests and the
occasion of their visit.
"We welcome the Finnish Presidency here, in the person of my friend, Erkki
Tuomioja, the Finnish FM, and the representative of the European Commission,
Torben Holze, representing Benita Ferrero Waldner who called to say she
could not be here, because of local political commitments in Austria. Thanks
also to Ambassador Terhi Hakala whose tireless efforts have brought us to
this day, and also want to recognize Ambassador Peter Semneby, the EU
Special Representative to the South Caucasus. Although this document will be
signed in November, in Brussels, we appreciate the delegation's coming here
to Armenia, so that our public can share in this historic occasion," he
began.
"I would also like to thank the NGOs and civil society for their engagement
and involvement in enhancing the content and make it more representative of
the wishes of our society.
"Once the document is signed, we'll be able to publicly present the entire
document. Let me just tell you that it says clearly, at the outset, that
through this Action Plan, Armenia is invited to enter into intensified
political, security, economic and cultural relations with the EU, enhanced
regional and cross border co-operation and shared responsibility in conflict
prevention and conflict resolution. And the document goes on to detail each
of these categories, and sets a 5-year time period during which each of
these actions will take place. This is a huge opportunity for Armenia to
become the beneficiary of a tried and true process to change what needs to
be changed, re-enforce and confirm that which needs to be affirmed - in a
word to strengthen the institutions of state," the Minister said.
Minister Oskanian explained the distinction of this document, saying "it
involves significant measures of economic integration and political
cooperation. It's called an Action Plan and rightly so. It is not just a
document of intentions, but of concrete actions to bring Armenia's social,
political, economic systems more in line with Europe's since the premise is
that we do in fact live in the same neighborhood and interact together. It
opens new partnership perspectives in very basic fields such as science,
education, culture, and of course in economic development."
He concluded by stressing the significance of the reforms. "These reforms
are extremely important for Armenia. We are where we are today, exactly
because we made the courageous economic reforms on Day 1 of our
independence. We knew then and we know even better today that reforms are
our only resource, they are what will strengthen and empower our society.
This document provides the opportunity to move forward with reforms in a
focused, strategic way. It gives us a way and a means to do what we know we
must do - revamp our institutions, retool our society, rethink our methods
and assumptions. We are signing this on the 15th year of our independence,
it will be concluded on the 20th year of our independence, and we will be
able to mark a new turning point in Armenia's future as a more democratic,
open and prosperous society," the Minister said. Foreign Minister Tuomioja
joined in welcoming the conclusion of consultations on the ENP Action Plan.
It is expected that the official signing will take place in Brussels in
November, during Armenia's annual Partnership and Cooperation Agreement
consultations.
The statement signed by the two ministers and the Commission representative
reads:
The Foreign Ministers' Troika of the European Union and Armenia welcome the
successful outcome of consultations on the European Neighbourhood Policy
Action Plan, started in November 2005.
In connection with the visit of the Foreign Ministers' troika of the
European Union to Armenia, the two sides note that an agreement in principle
has been reached on a final ENP Action Plan text. The necessary steps can
now be taken in order to prepare the formal adoption of the Action Plan at
the next EU-Armenia Cooperation Council, to be held on the 14th of November
in Brussels.
The European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan is a significant step towards
an increasingly close relationship between the EU and Armenia, going beyond
co-operation, to involve a significant measure of economic integration and
deepening of political co-operation. The European Union and Armenia are
determined to make use of this occasion to enhance their relations and to
promote prosperity, stability, and security.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress