Armenian premier, EU envoy discuss ties, Karabakh
Arminfo
6 Apr 06
Yerevan, 6 April: Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markaryan and EU
envoy for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby discussed the issues of
Armenia-EU cooperation in Yerevan today.
Markaryan expressed his hope that Semneby would continue the
productive activity of his predecessor Heikki Talvitie in the South
Caucasus, the governmental press service told Arminfo. He stressed
that Armenia is interested in opening of the European Commission
office in Yerevan, taking into consideration the implementation of the
action plan within the European Neighbourhood Policy.
He also expressed hope that the approval of Armenia’s action plan
would not be dragged out in case of the successful Armenia-EU talks in
May 2006. Markaryan welcomed the extension of the EU special
representative’s mandate for the settlement of frozen conflicts,
stressing that all efforts of international structures are aimed at
achieving speedy and peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict. The
prime minister also expressed concern about Azerbaijan’s bellicose
statements and frequent violations of the cease-fire regime.
For his part, Peter Semneby said that he intended to visit the region
more frequently because relations between the EU and the South
Caucasus have reached a new quality. He stressed that the EU is
interested in speedy resolution of regional conflicts. Peter Semneby
said that he would arrive in Armenia again together with the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairmen.
He said that in his activity he would focus on the Karabakh
settlement, the establishment of supremacy of law in Armenia and
reforms in juridical system.
The sides also stressed the importance of conducting elections in
Armenia in full compliance with international standards. They also
discussed Armenian-Russian cooperation and Armenia’s energy policy.