RA PM AND PRESIDENT OF FINLAND ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO KEEPING CONSTANT POLITICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 28 2005

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 28, NOYAN TAPAN. Andranik Margarian, the RA
Prime Minister, and Tarja Halonen, the President of the Republic
of Finland, fixed the activeness of the Armenian-Finnish relations
and spoke for their developing at the September 27 meeting which
took place at the “Armenia Marriott” hotel. The Prime Minister
expressed confidence that Tarja Halonen’s visit will be a new spur
for stimulation of that process. For keeping a constant political
dialogue, the interlocuters considered purposeful organization of
periodical political consultations between the Foreign Ministries of
the two countries.

Attaching importance to involvement of the South Caucasian countries,
among them Armenia as well, in the “European Neighbourhood Policy”,
Andranik Margarian, mentioned that within that framework, working out
and implementation of a joint Armenia-EU Actions Program arise from
vital interests of the country and correspond to the general direction
of the reforms being implemented in the country. The Prime Minister
attached importance to the individual approach of the European Union
towards every country and not a package implementation of that process
for few countries at the same time what was present while membership to
the Council of Europe. He emphasized that within the framework of the
“European Neighbourhood Policy” Armenia also expects Finland’s active
assistance in the issue of developing the cooperation with Armenia
by working out and implementing some programs by the cooperation of
branch ministries and departments of the two countries. Mentioning
that appointment of Heiki Talvitie, the representative Ambassador of
Finland as the EU Special Representative to the South Caucasus was
the evidence of increase of the European Union’s interest towards
the region, the head of the Government of Armenia appriciated the
latter’s role in the issue of deepening the Armenia-EU dialogue.

Touching upon the currect state and prospects of relations of the
Council of Europe as well as of NATO with Armenia, Andranik Margarian
informed the interlocuter that Armenia has already presented the
package of the Armenia-NATO Individual Partnership Actions Program
(IPAP) this June in Brussels. He expressed a hope that as a result of
the referendum on the cosntitutional reforms to take place in November,
the Republic of Armenia will implement the main part of obligations
connected with the membership to the Council of Europe as well.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Government’s Information and
Public Relations Department, the sides attached importance to the
regional cooperation as a necessary precondition aimed to regional
economic development, stability and getting mutual confidence.

Andranik Margarian informed the President of Finland about the
approach of the Armenian side concerning the issue of relations
of regional neighboring countries, particularly with Turkey,
according what, Armenia attaches importance to opening borders by
that country and attempts to improve relations with Turkey, without
any preconditions. The Prime Minister emphasized, that in that issue,
the Armenian side expects assistance of the international community,
including one of Finland, particularly, within the framework of the
negotiation process on Turkey’s membership to the EU.

The head of the Armenian Government touched upon the latest
developments on settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh problem as well.