PRESS RELEASE
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Contact: Information Desk
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Foreign Minister Oskanian Attends Conference on Iraq
Today, Armenia¹s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian participated in
an international conference on Iraq, at the invitation of the US Secretary
of State Condoleezza Rice and the Secretary General of the European Union
Javier Solana. Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the UN, together with Jean
Asselborn, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg which holds the EU
Presidency, as well as Secretary Rice spoke about building a renewed
international partnership to help Iraq. Representatives of the Iraqi
Transitional Government presented their vision and strategy at the
conference held in Brussels.
More than 80 foreign ministers attended the conference and discussed support
for Iraq¹s political transition process, encouraging its economic recovery
and reconstruction, and helping establish the rule of law and public order
in the country.
At the conference, Minister Oskanian said, ³We commend and appreciate the
simple act of convening this conference. It was important for everyone. It
was significant for those in Iraq who need to know that the world continues
to remain engaged, and it is reinforcing for those involved in the effort to
re-build Iraq.
³The people of Iraq need and deserve the persistent political and economic
involvement of all of us around the world. Even countries like Armenia, with
modest resources, can continue to maintain a small, symbolic presence
there,² he said, referring to the 40 non-combat medical personnel who have
been engaged there since the beginning of the year.
³Armenians know well the value of moral support and the driving force of
concerned onlookers. Further, as the foreign minister of a country and a
people still living through the difficult and trying period of transition, I
can tell you that it is only through sustained economic support, through the
long-term investment of serious economic resources, that a society will
begin to believe in the prospect of peace, in the promise of democracy.
³There is a tendency to ignore or neglect problems for which one has no
immediate answer or prospect for solution. Some problems appear too
difficult, too exotic, too unknown, too uncertain, too different for
immediate solutions. It is when these are ignored that the social and
political risks become insurmountable. The Iraqi people have demonstrated a
readiness to move ahead, to risk today for the promise of tomorrow. The
world community cannot desert them on that road,² he said.
The Minister also noted the presence of Armenians in Iraq. ³Iraq is blessed
with natural resources. Those include not just those in the ground, but also
the wealth that is derived from its ethnic diversity. A sizable and old
Armenian community is
part of that mix, and we know that together with the other citizens of Iraq
they look forward to contributing to Iraq¹s prosperous, peaceful future.²
Minister Oskanian concluded by saying, ³Armenia, in turn, looks forward to
developing and strengthening bilateral relations with a peaceful, unified
and democratic Iraq. It is only 200 miles, as the crow flies, between our
two capitals, and the ability to easily communicate and cooperate is an
exciting one for all of us.²
The Minister returns to Yerevan on Wednesday, June 22.