Armenian ambassador to Turkmenistan outlines difficulties facing country

Neytralnyy Turkmenistan (electronic version), Asgabat
22 Sep 04

On 21 September Armenia marked the most remarkable date in its history
– the 13th anniversary of the country’s independence. On the occasion
of the major national holiday Turkmendowlethabatlary [Turkmen state
news agency] interviewed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
to Turkmenistan Aram Grigoryan.

[Passage omitted: Grigoryan remarks on recent history of Armenia.]

[Grigoryan] The dissolution of the union [USSR], the interruption of
long-standing partnership ties, compounded by ongoing conflicts in the
country – all these factors had a bad impact on the young republic. A
number of unresolved problems face Armenia today, such as the Karabakh
issue [a disputed area between Azerbaijan and Armenia], the ongoing
economic and transport blockade, lack of jobs and many others. Apart
from all this, huge complications have emerged following the recent
terrorist acts in Russia, which resulted in the closure of roads
leading to Russia via Georgia. This was the only route linking Armenia
with its strategic partner, Russia.

[Passage omitted: Grigoryan pays tribute to the Ruhnama]

Concerning Armenian-Turkmen relations, it is worth of noting that for
Armenia, with its long-standing ties with Turkmenistan, there is no
way forward other than to develop a strong economic, political,
scientific, technical and cultural partnership with Turkmenistan.
Currently there are road and direct air routes operating between
Armenia and Turkmenistan. Over 50 agreements and accords have been
signed between our states to boost mutually advantageous cooperation.

[Passage omitted: remarks on Turkmen hospitality]