S. Sargsyan: `We have stressed on many occasions that Nagorno Karabakh
is part of the European family'
http://times.am/?l=en&p=5494
In the framework of his working visit to the Kingdom of Belgium,
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met with the President of the
European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, press service of Armenian
President informs.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Presidents of Armenia and European
Commission gave a joint press conference for the representatives of
mass media.
On the end of the meeting Armenian President released a statement. He
especially said:
'Mr. President, I am glad to see you again and appreciate the
opportunity to discuss issues of the Armenia-EU agenda. Very important
developments have taken place since our last meeting which allowing
Armeniaand EU to reach a new milestone in their relations. We greatly
appreciate the input made by the European Commission and Mr. Barroso
personally to the deepening of our cooperation.
I would like to note from the very beginning that our approaches and
positions on all issues of our agenda completely coincide. Armenia's
relations with the European Union are anchored in the same system of
values which is conditioned by our historical, cultural, religious and
linguistic similarities.
At the same time, I am happy to affirm that today our relations
develop upward. Recently, relations betweenArmenia and EU have entered
a qualitatively new level; we are registering decisive progress on the
entire spectrum of our relations.
We have underscored with mutual satisfaction considerable progress
achieved in the negotiations on the Armenia-EU Association Agreement.
It will elevate our relations in the legal field to a new level and
will set precise guidelines for a close cooperation in the areas of
security policy, democracy, economic integration, human rights, energy
and others.
Another milestone of our mutual success is the unanimous decision of
all EU member states to launch negotiations on the Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Zone, which also speaks of the efficiency of
the steps undertaken by the Armenian Government on that direction. The
European Union is Armenia's largest trading partner and signing of
this Agreement will have a critical influence on further integration,
encouragement of investments and will become a serious impetus for the
development of the Armenian economy.
We stressed the importance of the start of the negotiations on the
agreement for visa regime facilitation with the EU countries which
kicked off February 27 in Yerevan. We expect that the negotiations
will be concluded successfully in a short period of time and will
create greater opportunities for the citizens of Armenia and EU member
states to enhance contacts on the different levels.
At the moment, the main elements of our political dialogue with EU are
our internal reforms and synchronization with the European agenda for
acting as a one entity. We are resolute to go on with the deep and
comprehensive reforms in Armenia; we view reforms currently undertaken
in our country also as an important part of our unfolding cooperation
with the EU.
We welcome and share European Union's `more assistance for more
reforms' principle. In developing certain programs for the
implementation of the reforms, we are guided by that very principle. I
have also expressed my gratitude to the European Union for the
continuous support provided to Armenia.
At our meeting, we have also touched upon the parliamentary elections
to be held in Armenia in May, and I have reiterated commitment of the
Armenian side to organize and conduct the electoral process in
accordance with the European and international standards. We realize
the importance of conducting free, fair and democratic elections for
the future development and prosperity of our country.
We have also discussed a number of regional issues. I presented to Mr.
Barroso the current stage of the NK peace process. The Armenian side
sees no alternative to the resolution of the conflict through the
peaceful negotiations in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.
Regardless of the electoral processes inArmeniaand countries involved
in the resolution of the NK problem, theArmeniaside remains committed
to the maintenance of the peace process in the framework of the OSCE
Minsk Group and conclusion of the work on the Basic principles. Only
after that it will be possible to start negotiations on the `Large
Framework Agreement.' Negotiations and war-mongering propaganda,
racial hatred and acquisition of an unprecedented amount of armaments
are mutually exclusive. Those who `play' war should have learned
history lessons long ago.
Armeniahas always stressed the importance of establishing direct
contacts with the authorities of Nagorno Karabakh and the necessity
for the EU representatives to conduct regular visits to Karabakh. We
have also stressed on many occasions that Nagorno Karabakh is part of
the European family, the carrier of the same values which pursues the
goal of creating a structure based on the protection of human rights
and the rule of law'.
07.03.12, 11:24
From: Baghdasarian
is part of the European family'
http://times.am/?l=en&p=5494
In the framework of his working visit to the Kingdom of Belgium,
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met with the President of the
European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, press service of Armenian
President informs.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Presidents of Armenia and European
Commission gave a joint press conference for the representatives of
mass media.
On the end of the meeting Armenian President released a statement. He
especially said:
'Mr. President, I am glad to see you again and appreciate the
opportunity to discuss issues of the Armenia-EU agenda. Very important
developments have taken place since our last meeting which allowing
Armeniaand EU to reach a new milestone in their relations. We greatly
appreciate the input made by the European Commission and Mr. Barroso
personally to the deepening of our cooperation.
I would like to note from the very beginning that our approaches and
positions on all issues of our agenda completely coincide. Armenia's
relations with the European Union are anchored in the same system of
values which is conditioned by our historical, cultural, religious and
linguistic similarities.
At the same time, I am happy to affirm that today our relations
develop upward. Recently, relations betweenArmenia and EU have entered
a qualitatively new level; we are registering decisive progress on the
entire spectrum of our relations.
We have underscored with mutual satisfaction considerable progress
achieved in the negotiations on the Armenia-EU Association Agreement.
It will elevate our relations in the legal field to a new level and
will set precise guidelines for a close cooperation in the areas of
security policy, democracy, economic integration, human rights, energy
and others.
Another milestone of our mutual success is the unanimous decision of
all EU member states to launch negotiations on the Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Zone, which also speaks of the efficiency of
the steps undertaken by the Armenian Government on that direction. The
European Union is Armenia's largest trading partner and signing of
this Agreement will have a critical influence on further integration,
encouragement of investments and will become a serious impetus for the
development of the Armenian economy.
We stressed the importance of the start of the negotiations on the
agreement for visa regime facilitation with the EU countries which
kicked off February 27 in Yerevan. We expect that the negotiations
will be concluded successfully in a short period of time and will
create greater opportunities for the citizens of Armenia and EU member
states to enhance contacts on the different levels.
At the moment, the main elements of our political dialogue with EU are
our internal reforms and synchronization with the European agenda for
acting as a one entity. We are resolute to go on with the deep and
comprehensive reforms in Armenia; we view reforms currently undertaken
in our country also as an important part of our unfolding cooperation
with the EU.
We welcome and share European Union's `more assistance for more
reforms' principle. In developing certain programs for the
implementation of the reforms, we are guided by that very principle. I
have also expressed my gratitude to the European Union for the
continuous support provided to Armenia.
At our meeting, we have also touched upon the parliamentary elections
to be held in Armenia in May, and I have reiterated commitment of the
Armenian side to organize and conduct the electoral process in
accordance with the European and international standards. We realize
the importance of conducting free, fair and democratic elections for
the future development and prosperity of our country.
We have also discussed a number of regional issues. I presented to Mr.
Barroso the current stage of the NK peace process. The Armenian side
sees no alternative to the resolution of the conflict through the
peaceful negotiations in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.
Regardless of the electoral processes inArmeniaand countries involved
in the resolution of the NK problem, theArmeniaside remains committed
to the maintenance of the peace process in the framework of the OSCE
Minsk Group and conclusion of the work on the Basic principles. Only
after that it will be possible to start negotiations on the `Large
Framework Agreement.' Negotiations and war-mongering propaganda,
racial hatred and acquisition of an unprecedented amount of armaments
are mutually exclusive. Those who `play' war should have learned
history lessons long ago.
Armeniahas always stressed the importance of establishing direct
contacts with the authorities of Nagorno Karabakh and the necessity
for the EU representatives to conduct regular visits to Karabakh. We
have also stressed on many occasions that Nagorno Karabakh is part of
the European family, the carrier of the same values which pursues the
goal of creating a structure based on the protection of human rights
and the rule of law'.
07.03.12, 11:24
From: Baghdasarian