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Samvel Farmanyan. Sajjad Karim presented not his own, but the Turkish
government's view
March 21 2015
"When were you last time in Azerbaijan? What do you think about this
country? Have you raised the questions in Azerbaijan that you raised
in Yerevan?" these questions were addressed to Head of the South
Caucasus Delegation Sajjad Karim during the press conference with the
journalists, today, at the 15th session of the EU-Armenia
Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. Recall that the latter had talked
about the possibility of returning some territories by Armenia as a
step toward improving the relations with Turkey. Prior to the European
gentleman's response, Head of the Armenian delegation Samvel Farmanyan
clarified that Mr. Karim had quoted the Turkey's official position,
and his question was addressed to the point that the Armenian side
once again presents its position. He said that misunderstanding is
probably the result of a mistranslation or simply misunderstanding.
Sajjad Karim assured that misunderstanding was due to translations or
interpretations. Then he said that he has never had any direct
involvement in the South Caucasus or the regional countries, and that
is the reason why a few months ago his party has suggested him in the
position of the Head of the South Caucasus delegation. "Armenia is the
first country in the region that I have ever visited and I am leaving
with some very positive results with an in-depth understanding of your
country," said he, hoping that it will allow the future effective
development of the EU-Armenia relations. The journalist was also
interested to know about the nationality of the European officials.
"As a Briton, this is not the sort of question I am used to hearing
about my ethnic origin and I am still trying to figure out in my mind
whether to answer it or not. I am British, an Englishman, my family
origins all from South Asia," he said. (Note that Wikipedia states
that Mr. Karim is a Pakistani by origin and is the second Muslim
deputy in the European Parliament - ed.)
Question were also raised about increasing tensions on the border,
Azerbaijan's arming and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement and the
European approach on violating the agreements by Azerbaijan in the
Minsk format. "When I came here, my first meeting was with the OSCE
Ambassador. We remain committed to supporting the OSCE and the Minsk
process. It is very sad to see a loss of innocent lives yet again,"
said the European official, adding the resolution passed at the
session of the Committee contains the answers to all these concerns.
With regard to reoperation of the Stepanakert airport, he noticed,
"Being transparent is healthy. All those concerns that are talked
about at Armenia's parliament can be found in the official documents
that are available." He meant the resolutions adopted as a result of
European events hosted in Armenia this week. "On behalf of the EU, you
have a partner that genially wants to work hand in hand with Armenia,
genially wants to encourage the values that are open and democratic,"
said Sajjad Karim, adding that the local partners have always reminded
them that Armenia is also Europe.
At the end of the press conference, Mr. Farmanyan donated the
Forget-Me-Not badge pinned on his costume to Sajjad Karim. Head of EU
Delegation to Armenia Traian Hristea donated his badge to Samvel
Farmanyan.
Nelly GRIGORYAN
Read more at: http://en.aravot.am/2015/03/21/169376/
From: A. Papazian
government's view
March 21 2015
"When were you last time in Azerbaijan? What do you think about this
country? Have you raised the questions in Azerbaijan that you raised
in Yerevan?" these questions were addressed to Head of the South
Caucasus Delegation Sajjad Karim during the press conference with the
journalists, today, at the 15th session of the EU-Armenia
Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. Recall that the latter had talked
about the possibility of returning some territories by Armenia as a
step toward improving the relations with Turkey. Prior to the European
gentleman's response, Head of the Armenian delegation Samvel Farmanyan
clarified that Mr. Karim had quoted the Turkey's official position,
and his question was addressed to the point that the Armenian side
once again presents its position. He said that misunderstanding is
probably the result of a mistranslation or simply misunderstanding.
Sajjad Karim assured that misunderstanding was due to translations or
interpretations. Then he said that he has never had any direct
involvement in the South Caucasus or the regional countries, and that
is the reason why a few months ago his party has suggested him in the
position of the Head of the South Caucasus delegation. "Armenia is the
first country in the region that I have ever visited and I am leaving
with some very positive results with an in-depth understanding of your
country," said he, hoping that it will allow the future effective
development of the EU-Armenia relations. The journalist was also
interested to know about the nationality of the European officials.
"As a Briton, this is not the sort of question I am used to hearing
about my ethnic origin and I am still trying to figure out in my mind
whether to answer it or not. I am British, an Englishman, my family
origins all from South Asia," he said. (Note that Wikipedia states
that Mr. Karim is a Pakistani by origin and is the second Muslim
deputy in the European Parliament - ed.)
Question were also raised about increasing tensions on the border,
Azerbaijan's arming and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement and the
European approach on violating the agreements by Azerbaijan in the
Minsk format. "When I came here, my first meeting was with the OSCE
Ambassador. We remain committed to supporting the OSCE and the Minsk
process. It is very sad to see a loss of innocent lives yet again,"
said the European official, adding the resolution passed at the
session of the Committee contains the answers to all these concerns.
With regard to reoperation of the Stepanakert airport, he noticed,
"Being transparent is healthy. All those concerns that are talked
about at Armenia's parliament can be found in the official documents
that are available." He meant the resolutions adopted as a result of
European events hosted in Armenia this week. "On behalf of the EU, you
have a partner that genially wants to work hand in hand with Armenia,
genially wants to encourage the values that are open and democratic,"
said Sajjad Karim, adding that the local partners have always reminded
them that Armenia is also Europe.
At the end of the press conference, Mr. Farmanyan donated the
Forget-Me-Not badge pinned on his costume to Sajjad Karim. Head of EU
Delegation to Armenia Traian Hristea donated his badge to Samvel
Farmanyan.
Nelly GRIGORYAN
Read more at: http://en.aravot.am/2015/03/21/169376/
From: A. Papazian