DEPUTY FM MEETS NATO DELEGATION
ArmenPress
Sept 14 2004
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS: Armenian deputy foreign affairs
minister Tatul Margarian echoed today foreign minister Vartan Oskanian,
saying the NATO’s Supreme Command decision to cancel Best Cooperative
Effort maneuvers in Azerbaijan was “the loss of an opportunity for
regional cooperation.” He was meeting with a delegation of NATO
Parliamentary Assembly that brought to Armenia parliament members of
12 NATO and OSCE member countries.
Praising NATO for its efforts to help establish stability in the
region, Tatul Margarian, expressed hope that in the long-term
perspective NATO’s principled position will promote formation of
regional cooperation.
Margarian also spoke in detail about Armenia’s relations with its
neighbors, Karabagh conflict regulation process and Armenia’s drive
towards closer integration with Europe.
NATO’s decision was hailed also today by Armenian prime minister
Andranik Margarian, who said that the international community has now
realized the gap between what Azerbaijan’s leadership says and does.
“Azerbaijan has shown its true face,” he added.
The prime minister also referred to Azeri president Aliyev’s words
that his September 16 meeting with Armenian counterpart Robert
Kocharian would have a crucial significance in the Karabagh conflict
regulation. “There have been no crucial actions recently and neither
crucial positions have been voiced so as to have a sweeping effect
on the expected talks between the two presidents,” he said, adding
that the latest events show that even if crucial developments occur
they will not be in favor of Azerbaijan.