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| 18:42:01 | 22-06-2005 | Official |

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ARMENIA

Today the delegation of the Kingdom of Norway Parliament President Jorgen
Kosmo visited Armenia for the first time. The delegation has already met
with the members of the National Assembly and the Government.

RA NA deputy President Vahan Hovhannisyan, referring to the regional
problems, reminded that the absence of diplomatic relations with Turkey, the
blockade of Armenia and the conflicts with Azerbaijan have one root – the
1915 Armenian Genocide, and the Norwegians who know well enough the price of
freedom and civilization, can understand the people of Nagorno Karabakh and
their struggle for independence. The NA deputy Minister mentioned that
Armenia will not mind Turkey’s integration into the EU if Turkey becomes a
fully European country.

During the meeting in the RA Government Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan
thanked them for the activity of the Armenian office of the Norwegian
Council on Refugee affairs, thanks to which since 1988 in almost all the
regions of Armenia hundreds of houses, medical centers, community centers,
etc, have been built for the victims of the earthquake.

The Prime Minister also expressed the concern of the Armenian side about the
continuity of the activity of the Norwegian Council in Armenia, according to
which in 2005 10-12 million USD will be allotted to the realization of aid
programs in our country