Tweet
FM ON VISIT TO ARMENIA
Athens News Agency
July 3, 2009 Friday
Greece
Greek foreign minister and Organisation for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE) chairperson-in-office Dora Bakoyannis was in Yerevan on
Friday, where she met with her Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian.
Speaking to the press afterwards, Bakoyannis said: "It is a real
pleasure to be in Yerevan. A Greek feels like home in Armenia. Our
peoples have shared too much history together and this has built
strong, long lasting ties that continue to serve as a catalyst for
our two countries relations. The signing of the aviation agreement
is testimony of our excellent relations".
"I am here today both in my capacity as Chairperson of the OSCE and
as the Foreign Minister of Greece. I am here as a friend who can
contribute in Armenias path towards a closer relationship with Europe
and its institutions," Bakoyannis noted.
"Let me start with the OSCE. As you probably know, last weekend,
Greece hosted the first-ever informal ministerial OSCE meeting that
launched the Corfu Process. I want to thank Minister Nalbandian for
his significant contribution.
We count on Armenias continued support as we embark on our open and
frank dialogue on European security, in view of the Athens December
Ministerial Meeting," she added.
"Today we will inaugurate the OSCEs new offices in Yerevan. It is very
important that the OSCE Office in Yerevan enjoys such a high level
of cooperation with Armenia. Its activities include mitigating the
impact of the financial crisis at a critical time, co-operation with
the police and supporting the office of the Human Rights Defender. I
am confident that we can deepen this cooperation. The Office is here
to serve the people of Armenia and to assist them as they build an
open, free and democratic society. As they lay the foundation for a
stronger civil society, respectful of its past and ready to take the
future into its own hands," Bakoyannis continued.
"For more than a year now, Armenia and Azerbaijan (which Bakoyannis
visited on Thursday) have participated constructively, at the
top level, in a new round of negotiations that have inspired
optimism. Talks are at a critical point. I am encouraged by the
political will expressed by both sides and the Minsk Groups commitment
to bring about positive results," she said.
Bakoyannis further stressed that: "Armenia is an important country for
stability in the South Caucasus. While continuing political reforms
at home, it had begun a sensitive dialogue with Turkey. It has
demonstrated maturity and self-confidence that larger and stronger
countries often miss. I wish you well in your efforts and express
sincere hope they will be successful".
In closing, Bakoyannis noted that Greek-Armenian bilateral relations
"are excellent". "Greece and Armenia are natural friends and
partners. We consider Armenia as part of Europe and we are ready to
work with you in order to bring your country closer to the European
Union," she concluded.
EaiiieeuOoieTHORNecineoiiyEsooaineoith orniAeayeoiocOYeioouniaoAnTHORNouniaoForeign
Minis ter Ms. D. Bakoyannis departs on Wednesday, 1st June 2009,
to Baku, Azerbaijan, and on Thursday, 2nd June, to Yerevan, Armenia,
under her capacity as Chairperson of the OSCE. In Baku, Ms. Bakoyannis
will meet, firstly, with Azerbaijans Parliament President Mr. Asadov,
she will visit the offices of the OSCE mission while she will hold
meetings with the representatives of political parties. On Thursday
2 June, the foreign minister will be received by the President of
Azerbaijan Mr.
Aliyev and will meet with her Azeri counterpart Mr. Mammadyarov. The
same day, Ms. Bakoyannis will arrive in Yerevan where she will
inaugurate the offices of the OSCE mission and will meet with the
President of the Armenian Parliament Mr. Abrahamyan. On Friday,
3 June, the foreign minister will be received by the President of
Armenia Mr. Sargsyan and will meet with her Armenian counterpart Mr.
Nalbandian. Finally, she will hold meetings with representatives of
political parties.
Athens News Agency
July 3, 2009 Friday
Greece
Greek foreign minister and Organisation for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE) chairperson-in-office Dora Bakoyannis was in Yerevan on
Friday, where she met with her Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian.
Speaking to the press afterwards, Bakoyannis said: "It is a real
pleasure to be in Yerevan. A Greek feels like home in Armenia. Our
peoples have shared too much history together and this has built
strong, long lasting ties that continue to serve as a catalyst for
our two countries relations. The signing of the aviation agreement
is testimony of our excellent relations".
"I am here today both in my capacity as Chairperson of the OSCE and
as the Foreign Minister of Greece. I am here as a friend who can
contribute in Armenias path towards a closer relationship with Europe
and its institutions," Bakoyannis noted.
"Let me start with the OSCE. As you probably know, last weekend,
Greece hosted the first-ever informal ministerial OSCE meeting that
launched the Corfu Process. I want to thank Minister Nalbandian for
his significant contribution.
We count on Armenias continued support as we embark on our open and
frank dialogue on European security, in view of the Athens December
Ministerial Meeting," she added.
"Today we will inaugurate the OSCEs new offices in Yerevan. It is very
important that the OSCE Office in Yerevan enjoys such a high level
of cooperation with Armenia. Its activities include mitigating the
impact of the financial crisis at a critical time, co-operation with
the police and supporting the office of the Human Rights Defender. I
am confident that we can deepen this cooperation. The Office is here
to serve the people of Armenia and to assist them as they build an
open, free and democratic society. As they lay the foundation for a
stronger civil society, respectful of its past and ready to take the
future into its own hands," Bakoyannis continued.
"For more than a year now, Armenia and Azerbaijan (which Bakoyannis
visited on Thursday) have participated constructively, at the
top level, in a new round of negotiations that have inspired
optimism. Talks are at a critical point. I am encouraged by the
political will expressed by both sides and the Minsk Groups commitment
to bring about positive results," she said.
Bakoyannis further stressed that: "Armenia is an important country for
stability in the South Caucasus. While continuing political reforms
at home, it had begun a sensitive dialogue with Turkey. It has
demonstrated maturity and self-confidence that larger and stronger
countries often miss. I wish you well in your efforts and express
sincere hope they will be successful".
In closing, Bakoyannis noted that Greek-Armenian bilateral relations
"are excellent". "Greece and Armenia are natural friends and
partners. We consider Armenia as part of Europe and we are ready to
work with you in order to bring your country closer to the European
Union," she concluded.
EaiiieeuOoieTHORNecineoiiyEsooaineoith orniAeayeoiocOYeioouniaoAnTHORNouniaoForeign
Minis ter Ms. D. Bakoyannis departs on Wednesday, 1st June 2009,
to Baku, Azerbaijan, and on Thursday, 2nd June, to Yerevan, Armenia,
under her capacity as Chairperson of the OSCE. In Baku, Ms. Bakoyannis
will meet, firstly, with Azerbaijans Parliament President Mr. Asadov,
she will visit the offices of the OSCE mission while she will hold
meetings with the representatives of political parties. On Thursday
2 June, the foreign minister will be received by the President of
Azerbaijan Mr.
Aliyev and will meet with her Azeri counterpart Mr. Mammadyarov. The
same day, Ms. Bakoyannis will arrive in Yerevan where she will
inaugurate the offices of the OSCE mission and will meet with the
President of the Armenian Parliament Mr. Abrahamyan. On Friday,
3 June, the foreign minister will be received by the President of
Armenia Mr. Sargsyan and will meet with her Armenian counterpart Mr.
Nalbandian. Finally, she will hold meetings with representatives of
political parties.