Armenian foreign minister, EU reps discuss energy, regional issues

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
20 Apr 06

[Presenter] Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan and the EU
troika have discussed Armenia’s cooperation with this organization.

The delegation is led for the fist time by Hans Winkler, secretary
of state for foreign affairs of Austria, which currently chairs the EU.

The main issue which was discussed at the meeting was the Wider Europe:
New Neighbours programme of the European Union, the third stage of
which will start in May.

Vardan Oskanyan briefed the EU delegation on the latest developments
in the Karabakh settlement, Armenia’s positions and approaches. The
sides also discussed energy issues, Armenian-Turkish relations and
possible developments connected with Iran.

[Vardan Oskanyan, captioned] The third stage of the talks on Armenia’s
Action Plan within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy
will be held in Yerevan in early May. This is a serious document
which will be a guideline for the future development of relations
between Armenia and the EU.

The main issue which we discussed was the development of democratic
institutions in Armenia. The state secretary paid special attention to
the holding of parliamentary and presidential elections in Armenia. The
EU is following these developments.

[Hans Winkler, speaking in English with Armenian voice-over, captioned]
The South Caucasus region is of great importance to the EU, and Austria
wants to establish close relations with the South Caucasus countries
during its chairmanship. We discussed the New Neighbours programme. We
hope that the discussions will be finished soon and that this programme
will be a basis for close cooperation between Armenia and the EU.

We also talked about the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. The European
Union wants stability in the region and a speedy resolution to
the conflict. We are ready to render the necessary support to the
settlement of the conflict. We are sure that the settlement of the
conflict will promote stability in the region.