Armenian president wants closer cooperation with EU

Mediamax news agency
16 May 05

Yerevan, 16 May: “We are intending to deepen our cooperation with the
European Union [EU] within the framework of the European Neighbourhood
Policy,” Armenian President Robert Kocharyan said in Warsaw today.

The Armenian president said this addressing the Council of Europe
summit today, a special Mediamax correspondent reports from Warsaw.

“This is a chance for us to continue political and economic reforms
under EU sponsorship. We consider ourselves to be part of Europe. Our
cultural heritage is part of European culture. We are implementing
reforms because of our country’s domestic necessity, and not because
we want to receive praise. Perhaps that is why the reforms in Armenia
are reasonably effective,” the Armenian president said.

Robert Kocharyan noted that Armenia will honour the commitments it
has made to the Council of Europe by the end this year. “This was a
difficult but productive process of reforms which was supported by
various parts of society,” the Armenian president said.

“I see the prospect for finding a settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict in the context of respect for European values,” Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan said in Warsaw today. “Armenia believes
in Europe with open borders, without violence, without any blockades
or refugees.”