BLOCKADE OF ARMENIAN BORDER BY TURKEY UNACCEPTABLE TO EUROPE

Pan Armenian
04.10.2005 14:34

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Armenian PM Andranik Margaryan met with
President of the CE Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Giovanni di Stasi, reported the Press service of the Government
of Armenia. Positively evaluating the CE-Armenia cooperation for
almost 10 years in forming local self-government bodies and control,
A. Margaryan said the mutually favorable cooperation would further
continue. He welcomed Giovanni di Stasi’s visit to Armenia, especially
that election of local government bodies is held in Armenia observed
by the Congress monitoring mission. Giovanni di Stasi emphasized
that notable improvement is registered in the field: the percentage
of population participation is growing, the government and society
acquire some experience in forming democratic institutions. Speaking of
constitutional amendments, the CE Congress President underscored the
importance of establishment of election of Yerevan Mayor. Giovanni
di Stasi expressed readiness to promote Armenia in fulfilling the
demands of the Charter on Local Self-Government Armenia had ratified
in 2003. The parties also discussed regional cooperation at their
meeting. Margaryan emphasized Armenia is for active cooperation in
the South Caucasus and will continue efforts in this respect. In
his turn Giovanni di Stasi considered the blockade of the Armenian
border by Turkey unacceptable. He highlighted the idea of formation
of regional center for local government bodies. In his opinion,
it will promote establishment of economic, social and cultural
cooperation between them. Welcoming the idea the Armenian PM expressed
readiness to support initiatives that would held solve common regional
problems. Mr. Margaryan also welcomed the Transborder Cooperation in
Europe conference opening in Yerevan October 5.