SERGE SARGSIAN BELIEVES POSITIVE RESULTS OF U.S. EFFORTS ON NAGORNO KARABAKH SETTLEMENT WITHIN FRAMEWORK OF OSCE MG

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 16 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 16, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Daniel Fried,
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Euroasian Affairs,
presented the details of his regional visit at his March 16 meeting
with Serge Sargsian, RA Defence Minister, Secretary of the National
Security Council under RA President.

Again emphasizing the readiness of the U.S. to assist in the Nagorno
Karabakh peaceful settlement, he mentioned that the solution to the
problem will become a stimulus for region’s economic progress and
free development.

Touching upon bilateral cooperation in the military sphere, Colonel
Mike Anderson, a member of the delegation led by Daniel Fried, on
behalf of General James Jones expressed gratitude for the Armenian
peacekeepers’ successful mission in Iraq highly estimating their
professional level. He especially thanked the Minister for the
assistance rendered by RA Defence Ministry and Officers’ staff in
the course of the defensive estimation and for transparency of RA
Armed Forces. Colonel M.Anderson also mentioned the importance of
the rescuing exercises to be held this year in Armenia.

Minister Serge Sargsian agreed to Steven Mann’s opinion that the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict can’t be solved by war either today or in
15-20 years. For the purpose of preventing the cases of ceasefire
violation he proposed that contact-line monitorings be held more
often and their results be made public.

Touching upon the process of reforms implemented in the Armenian army,
the Minister established that 10 years later Armenia will have an
army more capable of cooperation and corresponding to international
standards. Mentioning the importance of relations of NATO with Armenia,
he once more mentioned that they develop rapidly.

Serge Sargsian expressed gratitude for the efforts strained by the
U.S. within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, aimed at Nagorno
Karabakh problem settlement, mentioning that he is optimistic and
believes their positive results.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by RA Defence Minister’s Spokesperson,
Colonel Seyran Shahsuvarian, RA Deputy Foreign Minister Arman
Kirakosian, U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to RA
John Evans, American Co-chairman of OSCE Minsk Group Steven Mann were
present at the meeting.