VISIT OF CHAIRMAN OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO ARMENIA TESTIFIES TO
GROWING INTEREST OF EU TO SOUTH CAUCASIAN STATES: ARMENIAN PM

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20. ARMINFO. The visit of Chairman of European
Commission Romano Prody to Armenia testifies to the growing interest
of the EU to the South Caucasian states and it can become a new
impetus for further development of the EU-Armenia-region
relations. Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan made this
statement during his meeting with Romano Prody on Sept 18 evening. It
should be noted that R.Prody is in Yerevan within the framework of his
visit to the region.

The Armenian Governmental Press-Service told ARMINFO that Andranik
Margaryan, in particular, pointed out the importance of the visit of
Romano Prody to the region in the contest of the South Caucasian
states’ involvement into the initiate “Wider Europe. New
Neighborhood.” He said that this initiative will allow the region’s
states to deepen and expand their relations with the EU, as well as to
accelerate the processes of democratization and socio-economic
reforms. Presenting the steps on European integration to Chairman of
the European Commission, Armenian Premier pointed out the carried out
work on stimulation of trade, cooperation in the sphere of science and
research, harmonization of the Armenian Legislation with that of the
EU under program “Wider Europe. New neighborhood.” He said that
Armenia studies the program of Actions of “European Neighborhood” as
definite steps aiming implementation of the Agreement of Cooperation
and Partnership. And its national program will be elaborated in
future. Andranik Margaryan said that Armenia is waiting for beginning
of joint discussions and elaboration of the program of Actions. He
assured Romano Prody that the Armenian authorities are ready to make
their contribution to this issue.

In his turn, Romano Prody said that the EU is ready to contribute to
the South Caucasian state in establishment of a stable society based
on democratic values. He said that the European Commission will
prepare reports in the coming months on the three states of the region
to assess their progress in the sphere of political and economic
reforms, as well as in peaceful resolution of the conflicts in the
region. The sides also discussed issues of regional cooperation,
Armenian premier presented Armenia’s position, pointing out the
importance of establishment of good-neighbored relations with the
neighboring countries. The sides discussed a broad spectrum of issues
related to the Armenian-Turkish relations, peaceful settlement of the
Karabakh conflict. Simultaneously, they expressed a single opinion
that the full integration to the European structures will be
endangered without settlement of the problems existing in the
region. Considering the Karabakh conflict in this context, the sides
pointed out that restoration of economy and progress in the South
Caucasus is possible only trough establishment of peace and versatile
regional cooperation. Romano Prody said that the EU has no intention
to play a mediatory role in the conflict’s settlement, however, it
will exert serious efforts in this direction.