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Office of the President
www.president.am
Sept 5 2011
Armenia
Statement of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the Council
meeting of the CIS Heads of state, 3 Septembre 2011
Distinguished Colleagues,
First, I would like to thank Emomali Rahmon for the work conducted
in the CIS structures during Tajikistan~Rs presidency and express
gratitude for the warm and generous reception extended to us in
hospitable Dushanbe.
As a result of the consistent work conducted by the Executive Committee
of the CIS, councils, which coordinate activities of its branches,
and bodies engaged in functional cooperation, the CIS succeeded as
an international organization which promotes sustainable development
and mutually beneficial cooperation of our countries.
The Declaration dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the CIS
particularizes the problems and tasks before our organization and
outlines the dynamics of development ~V from the inception of the CIS
to the new levels of the integration processes, which are reflected
in the concept of further development and its strategy. All this is
stated in detail in the analytical paper, which sheds light on the
achievements and failings; it also defines new challenges that our
organization faces. The report is of practical importance; it~Rs yet
to be analyzed in the executive structure and to be translated into
concrete proposals on cooperation in the most promising areas. With
this regard, I would propose to discuss also the document presented
by the Executive Committee which recaps the process of implementation
of the basic steps contained in the concept for future development
of the CIS.
Dear Colleagues,
The Republic of Armenia stands ready to continue to bring its direct
participation to the CIS joint undertakings which are aimed at the
modernization of the economy through innovative means, efficient use
of transport and energy infrastructure, utilization of the potential
of the interregional cooperation.
Naturally, we will continue to keep in the focus of our attention
issues related to the expansion and strengthening of cooperation in
the humanitarian area which is stipulated by the traditionally close
ties, mutual spiritual enrichment, and desire of the CIS peoples to
conduct educational, cultural, scientific and information exchange.
Special attention will be paid to the joint youth policy in the
framework of the 2010-2020 strategy on the international cooperation
of the CIS youth which was adopted last year.
In this context, I would like to highlight the importance of the
agreement on the ~SImmortalization of the Heroism and Valor of the CIS
nations in the Great Patriotic War~T. Preservation of the memories
regarding the Great Patriotic War is a sacred duty not only to the
generation of our fathers and grandfathers but also to our children
and grandchildren. It is particularly critical in the face of the
recurring attempts to revise the history of the World War II.
Speaking about humanitarian cooperation, I would like to announce good
news. By the decision of UNESCO, Yerevan has been declared the World
Book Capital for 2012. Yerevan applied for the nomination considering
the fact that in 2012 Armenia will be celebrating the 500th anniversary
of the Armenian book printing. We are planning to conduct multiple
events, including participation at the international book fairs,
organization in Armenia of regional and international seminars and
round tables. According to the established tradition, in the framework
of the CIS Interstate Fund on Humanitarian Cooperation we will conduct
a conference of the publishers and translators of the CIS and Baltic
states. It is my distinct pleasure to invite you all to visit Armenia
on that festive days.
Distinguished Colleagues,
I would like to mention a symbolic fact: twenty years ago on this day,
the people of Nagorno Karabakh declared their independence. Several
days before it, the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan adopted a declaration
on the restoration of Azerbaijan~Rs state independence. It is
noteworthy that Azerbaijan re-established it statehood in the borders
of 1918-1920, i.e. without Nagorno Karabakh. Hence, both nations
utilized their sovereign right for self-determination and statehood
establishment in full accordance with the laws and Constitution of
the USSR.
In retrospect, the events which took place 20 years ago appear in a
broader light. Many would pose a question: was it possible to avoid
a bloodshed? I believe, the political, social and economic crisis,
which eventually caused the collapse of the USSR, left almost no
chance for a peaceful resolution of the ethnic conflicts. We witnessed
the unthinkable: on the territory of the former Union, where we had
progressed, built, worked and created together, bloody and brutal
conflicts erupted. In just a couple of days, the people of Karabakh
were drawn into war, with almost no hope to stay alive. Nursultan
Nazarbaev, who is present here, remembers those days very well:
twenty years ago, together with the President of Russia Boris Eltsin
he conducted a mediation mission to Baku, Yerevan and Stepanakert.
The people of Nagorno Karabakh withstood in a horrendous fight and
won the right to exist with their own blood. In this twenty years, a
generation grew up in Karabakh, which was born and has been living in
the independent state. They don~Rt understand what these protracted and
painful negotiations are about because for them there is no ambiguity
regarding the status of Nagorno Karabakh. They want to live and develop
as any other nation ~V in peace and accord with their neighbors.
We highly praise the efforts of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group
and are grateful to the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry
Medvedev for his consistent steps aimed at the expeditious resolution
of the NK conflict in the framework of the principles and norms of
international law. I am confident that these efforts will be crowned
with success and in the nearest future the people of Nagorno Karabakh,
as it is envisaged by the draft Basic Principles, will decide on
their future in a free and internationally recognized popular vote.
History does not care for ~Sif~T. Today, we have to look into future
and do everything to ensure security and sustainable development of our
countries for the prosperity and well-being of our peoples. Resolution
of the conflicts on the territory of the CIS should be conducted in
the agreed framework of negotiations and exclusively through peaceful
means. Future generation will not forgive us for the repetition of
past mistakes.
Allow me to once again express thanks to the leadership of Tajikistan
for its successful chairmanship in the statutory bodies of the CIS
and express hope that efforts aimed at the further improvement and
strengthening of the multifaceted cooperation in the CIS will be
continued.
Thank you.
From: A. Papazian
www.president.am
Sept 5 2011
Armenia
Statement of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan at the Council
meeting of the CIS Heads of state, 3 Septembre 2011
Distinguished Colleagues,
First, I would like to thank Emomali Rahmon for the work conducted
in the CIS structures during Tajikistan~Rs presidency and express
gratitude for the warm and generous reception extended to us in
hospitable Dushanbe.
As a result of the consistent work conducted by the Executive Committee
of the CIS, councils, which coordinate activities of its branches,
and bodies engaged in functional cooperation, the CIS succeeded as
an international organization which promotes sustainable development
and mutually beneficial cooperation of our countries.
The Declaration dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the CIS
particularizes the problems and tasks before our organization and
outlines the dynamics of development ~V from the inception of the CIS
to the new levels of the integration processes, which are reflected
in the concept of further development and its strategy. All this is
stated in detail in the analytical paper, which sheds light on the
achievements and failings; it also defines new challenges that our
organization faces. The report is of practical importance; it~Rs yet
to be analyzed in the executive structure and to be translated into
concrete proposals on cooperation in the most promising areas. With
this regard, I would propose to discuss also the document presented
by the Executive Committee which recaps the process of implementation
of the basic steps contained in the concept for future development
of the CIS.
Dear Colleagues,
The Republic of Armenia stands ready to continue to bring its direct
participation to the CIS joint undertakings which are aimed at the
modernization of the economy through innovative means, efficient use
of transport and energy infrastructure, utilization of the potential
of the interregional cooperation.
Naturally, we will continue to keep in the focus of our attention
issues related to the expansion and strengthening of cooperation in
the humanitarian area which is stipulated by the traditionally close
ties, mutual spiritual enrichment, and desire of the CIS peoples to
conduct educational, cultural, scientific and information exchange.
Special attention will be paid to the joint youth policy in the
framework of the 2010-2020 strategy on the international cooperation
of the CIS youth which was adopted last year.
In this context, I would like to highlight the importance of the
agreement on the ~SImmortalization of the Heroism and Valor of the CIS
nations in the Great Patriotic War~T. Preservation of the memories
regarding the Great Patriotic War is a sacred duty not only to the
generation of our fathers and grandfathers but also to our children
and grandchildren. It is particularly critical in the face of the
recurring attempts to revise the history of the World War II.
Speaking about humanitarian cooperation, I would like to announce good
news. By the decision of UNESCO, Yerevan has been declared the World
Book Capital for 2012. Yerevan applied for the nomination considering
the fact that in 2012 Armenia will be celebrating the 500th anniversary
of the Armenian book printing. We are planning to conduct multiple
events, including participation at the international book fairs,
organization in Armenia of regional and international seminars and
round tables. According to the established tradition, in the framework
of the CIS Interstate Fund on Humanitarian Cooperation we will conduct
a conference of the publishers and translators of the CIS and Baltic
states. It is my distinct pleasure to invite you all to visit Armenia
on that festive days.
Distinguished Colleagues,
I would like to mention a symbolic fact: twenty years ago on this day,
the people of Nagorno Karabakh declared their independence. Several
days before it, the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan adopted a declaration
on the restoration of Azerbaijan~Rs state independence. It is
noteworthy that Azerbaijan re-established it statehood in the borders
of 1918-1920, i.e. without Nagorno Karabakh. Hence, both nations
utilized their sovereign right for self-determination and statehood
establishment in full accordance with the laws and Constitution of
the USSR.
In retrospect, the events which took place 20 years ago appear in a
broader light. Many would pose a question: was it possible to avoid
a bloodshed? I believe, the political, social and economic crisis,
which eventually caused the collapse of the USSR, left almost no
chance for a peaceful resolution of the ethnic conflicts. We witnessed
the unthinkable: on the territory of the former Union, where we had
progressed, built, worked and created together, bloody and brutal
conflicts erupted. In just a couple of days, the people of Karabakh
were drawn into war, with almost no hope to stay alive. Nursultan
Nazarbaev, who is present here, remembers those days very well:
twenty years ago, together with the President of Russia Boris Eltsin
he conducted a mediation mission to Baku, Yerevan and Stepanakert.
The people of Nagorno Karabakh withstood in a horrendous fight and
won the right to exist with their own blood. In this twenty years, a
generation grew up in Karabakh, which was born and has been living in
the independent state. They don~Rt understand what these protracted and
painful negotiations are about because for them there is no ambiguity
regarding the status of Nagorno Karabakh. They want to live and develop
as any other nation ~V in peace and accord with their neighbors.
We highly praise the efforts of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group
and are grateful to the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry
Medvedev for his consistent steps aimed at the expeditious resolution
of the NK conflict in the framework of the principles and norms of
international law. I am confident that these efforts will be crowned
with success and in the nearest future the people of Nagorno Karabakh,
as it is envisaged by the draft Basic Principles, will decide on
their future in a free and internationally recognized popular vote.
History does not care for ~Sif~T. Today, we have to look into future
and do everything to ensure security and sustainable development of our
countries for the prosperity and well-being of our peoples. Resolution
of the conflicts on the territory of the CIS should be conducted in
the agreed framework of negotiations and exclusively through peaceful
means. Future generation will not forgive us for the repetition of
past mistakes.
Allow me to once again express thanks to the leadership of Tajikistan
for its successful chairmanship in the statutory bodies of the CIS
and express hope that efforts aimed at the further improvement and
strengthening of the multifaceted cooperation in the CIS will be
continued.
Thank you.
From: A. Papazian