MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
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Fax: +3741. .562543
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PRESS RELEASE

19 October 2004

The official visit of Foreign Minister Oskanian to Italy

The next day of his official visit to Italy, Minister Oskanian attended a
the round table discussion which was organized by joint efforts of the
Institute of Foreign Affaires of Italy and the Embassy of the Republic of
Armenia in Italy. The theme of the round table was, “South Caucasus:
Stability and security of the region.” High ranking officials from the
Foreign Ministry of Italy, parliamentarians, ambassadors accredited in
Italy, diplomats, and students also took part in the round table discussion.

Minister Oskanian expressed his satisfaction by the results of his official
visit, noting that he had come to concrete agreements with the Foreign
Minister Frattini of Italy. He then presented the priorities of Armenia’s
foreign policy, underlining our efforts on creation of the security system,
development of the country, Euro-integration, and settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabagh conflict.

Addressing Caucasian issues, Minister Oskanian pointed out the possible ways
for achieving long-term peace and stability. He appreciated the involvement
of South Caucasian states in the EU New Neighborhood policy, as well as the
deepening of the NATO Partnership programme in the region.

The Foreign Minister stated that the European direction of the South
Caucasian states, and the growing activity of the European Union in the
region creates new prospects for settlement of the conflicts, especially if
the states themselves express political foresight and will. Minister
Oskanian also presented Armenia’s position on the starting negotiations on
Turkey’s membership in the EU, presenting.

The Deputy Foreign Minister, Margherita Boniver, the Chief of the
Parliamentary delegation of the Western European Union, Marko Zakkera, and
prominent parliamentarians underlined in their speeches the necessity of
more active involvement of the European Union and NATO in the South
Caucasus. They also mentioned the role of the European Union in the
settlement of Armenian-Turkish relations. Minister Oskanian answered the
audience’s questions

The same day, Minister Oskanian left for Venice, where he will have
meetings with the city and provincial authorities of Venice.