CONGRESS PRESIDENT OF COE CONSIDERS INADMISSIBLE TURKEY’S CLOSING OF BORDER WITH ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 5 2005

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. Appreciating almost ten years
cooperation of the Congress of the Council of Europe with Armenia in
the direction of the process of formation of local self-government
bodies and its control, RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian expressed
confidence that the mutually beneficial cooperation will successfully
continue from now on as well. Meeting Giovanni Di Stasi, the President
of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Council of Europe,
on October 4, the Prime Minister welcame the CE Congress President’s
visit to Armenia especially within the framework when elections of
local self-government bodies go on in the country which are observed
by the observation mission of the congress delegation as well. The
head of the Government of Armenia mentioned that active processes,
particularly, discussions of the constitutional reforms, adoption of
the RA law “On Community Service,” implementation of amendments in the
RA law “On Local Self-Government” take place in the country at present.

Touching upon the constitutional reforms, Giovanni Di Stasi attached
importance, particularly, to the definition of Yerevan Mayor’s being
elective, steps directed to separation of the power. He appreciated
the idea of adopting the law “On Intercommunity Unions.” The Congress
President of the Council of Europe expressed readiness to assist
Armenia in the issue of implementation of demands of the charter “On
Local Self-Government” as well which Armenia certified still in 2003.

According to the information submitted to Noyan Tapan by the RA
Government’s Information and Public Relations Department, at the
meeting, the sides touched upon problems of regional cooperation as
well. A.Margarian emphasized Armenia chosen the way of integration
to the European Union has always acted with initiative of an active
mutual cooperation of the South Caucasian region and will continue
efforts in that directions then as well. Attaching importance to
regional economic cooperation with neighboring countries as well,
Giovanni Di Stasi considered inadmissible Turkey’s closing the
border with Armenia from that viewpoint. He emphasized that the
European society also considered intolerable any kind of separating
lines on the European territory. Expressing readiness to assist all
initiatives, including Armenia’s one as well, addressed to regional
cooperation, he brought forward the idea of creating a regional center
of local self-government bodies what, according to him, will support
establishment of economic, social, cultural cooperation among them.

Welcoming that idea, A.Margarian expressed readiness on behalf of
the Government of Armenia to assist all similar initiatives which
can support solution of common regional problems as well.