BEFORE TAKING UP THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRESIDENT

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| 18:20:31 | 13-06-2005 | Official |

Sir Brian Fall (United Kingdom Representative to the South Caucasus)
and Simon Smith (Head of Eastern Department in the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office in London) will visit Yerevan from 12-14 June. The
visit is the first part of a preparatory tour of countries in the
South Caucasus before the United Kingdom assumes the Presidency of
the European Union on 1 July. It will include calls on President
Robert Kocharian, Defence Minister Serge Sarkissyan, Trade Minister
Karen Chshmaritian and Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham Gharibjanyan,
as well as members of the opposition and NGOs working in the fields
of democracy and governance.

The objective is to have an exchange of views on issues which will
be discussed between Armenia and the European Union during the course
of the British Presidency. These are likely to include in particular
efforts to reach a lasting solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
and developments following the extension of the European Neighbourhood
Policy to Armenia.

Sir Brian Fall was previously the United Kingdom Special Representative
to Georgia. His remit was extended in 2002 to cover the South
Caucasus. His appointment underlines the commitment of the British
Government to play an active part in the efforts of the international
community to prevent or resolve conflict, and to establish a stable
basis for peace and prosperity in each of the three countries and in
the region as a whole.

Simon Smith was appointed Head of Eastern Department in the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office in 2004.