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| 16:45:30 | 29-09-2005 | Politics |

ARMENIA SUFFERS BECAUSE OF AZERBAIJAN

The European Union will not launch the New Neighbors Program with Armenia
because of Azerbaijan. EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus
Haeikki Talviie without going into detail informed that Azerbaijan has
problems with one of the EU member-states and the program will not be
launched until these problems are settled.

Mr. Talvitie hopes that during 1.5 month the problem with Azerbaiajan will
be resolved. `The EU intends to pursue balanced policy in the region’, he
said adding that the regional cooperation proceeds not only from the EU
interests but also from the interests of the Transaucasian states. According
to the EU Special Representative, today the EU member-state pay much
attention to the region.

During today’s joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Heikki
Talvitie touched upon the constitutional reform. In his words, the
international community does not persuade Armenia to adopt the amendments,
but it would be advisable to adopt them.

Vartan Oskanian and Heikki Talvitie positively assessed the demand on the
Armenian Genocide recognition by Turkey advanced by the European Parliament
yesterday. The Armenian FM voiced hope that the EU-Turkey negotiations will
be useful for Armenia and the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border will be
also discussed.

Upon completion of the press conference Mr. Talvitie noted that Turkey’s
accession to the EU depends on the negotiation process, which should `start
and finish’, adding jokingly that Armenia may join the EU even earlier than
Turkey.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress