MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
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PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
04-05-2006
Minister Oskanian Participated at International Conference in Vilnius
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian is concluding a two-day visit to Vilnius,
Lithuania, where he participated in the international conference entitled
“Common Vision for a Common Neighborhood.” The presidents of Lithuania and
Poland opened the conference. High level officials from two dozen European
countries were in attendance.
President Adamkus, on behalf of all participants, expressed condolences on
the tragic crash of the Armavia plane yesterday, over Sochi, and the
resulting loss of life.
In his statement, Minister Oskanian first expressed Armenia’s appreciation
for the generous expressions of sympathy, and proceeded to speak about
political processes in the post-soviet space.
Minister said, “Democracy is not a one-shot deal, it does not happen
overnight. We know that, and we believe that as long as you know that you
are on the right track and are confident that you are moving forward and not
backtracking, then the evolutionary and incremental approach to democracy is
more effective and enduring.”
He also reflected on the Nagorno Karabakh resolution process.
“With their oil resources and with high oil prices, Azerbaijan has
unfortunately come to believe, or at least they publicly proclaim, that
there is a military option available to them. With that kind of thinking, it
will not be easy to compromise. But they need to be told very clearly by the
EU and others, that there is no military option, so that they make the
necessary compromises, as Armenia has already done, to reach a peaceful
resolution,” Minister Oskanian said.
In the margins of the conference, Minister Oskanian met with Javier Solana,
High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy,
Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union. They discussed the
European Neighborhood Policy Action Plan which is near completion. They also
spoke about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and the Minister updated the High
Representative on the status of the process.
Minister Oskanian also met with Karel de Gucht, Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Belgium, and the Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE. They explored
Armenia-OSCE relations, as well as the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The two
ministers discussed Armenia-Belgium bilateral issues, as well.
Finally, Minister Oskanian met with the Foreign Minister of Romania, Razvan
Ungureanu with whom he discussed bilateral issues and matters dealing with
the Black Sea Forum for Dialogue and Partnership to be held in Bucharest in
early June.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
