Relations between our countries are warm and friendly, Foreign Ministers of
Armenia and Lebanon state

ArmRadio.am
11.07.2006 18:04

Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Fawzi Salloukh
is paying an official visit to Armenia. During the three-day visit
he will have meetings with RA President Robert Kocharyan, NA Speaker
Tigran Torosyan and Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan. The Minister
will be received also by the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin
II. After the meeting on July 11 the Foreign Ministers of Armenia
and Lebanon Vardan Oskanyan and Fawzi Salloukh gave a joint press
conference. The journalists’ questions referred to Armenian-Lebanese
bilateral relations, as well as to regional issues, including the
Karabakh conflict.

"Armenia and Lebanon have exceptionally good relations today. After Mr.
Harriry’s death the pace of economic processes and dialogue somewhat
slowed down due to various reasons.

This is Minister Salloukh’s first visit to Armenia, and we hope
this visit will help arrange the meeting of the Intergovernmental
Commission as soon as possible. The Armenian-Lebanese agenda is rather
deep and all-embracing.

Friendly relations exist between the two countries, and the existence
of the Armenian community is an important factor in interstate
relations, in the development of Yerevan-Beirut ties. There is an
extensive field for the further development of relations between the
two countries," Minister Oskanyan remarked in his opening speech.

RA Foreign Minister noted that he had an interesting conversation
with Mr.

Salloukh on a number of questions.

"The Minister informed me about the processes under way in Lebanon. We
spoke also the events in Iraq. The Minister presented the [position of
Lebanon. I presented in detail the Karabakh issue, the content of the
talks, the latest developments, as well as other regional questions,
particularly focusing on Armenia’s relations with neighbouring
countries, considering also Armenian President’s last visit to Iran. It
was a rather productive dialogue, I’m content with the meeting an I’m
sure this visit will become a new impetus for the further development
of Armenian-Lebanese relations," Minister Oskanyan underlined.

The Foreign Minister of Lebanon noted that he has a very constructive
talk with his Armenian counterpart.

"Our countries have very warm and close relations. During today’s
meeting we discussed the ways of deepening and reinforcing these
relations. These ties have an emotional side also. Lebanon is home
to a large Armenian community.

We are proud of them and appreciate their efforts and contribution
to the prosperity of Lebanon. We are proud of the Armenian community
also because during the disastrous war of 1975-1990 they did much
for the reconstruction of Lebanon. We are very proud of the role the
Armenian community played during the war," Fawzi Salloukh said.

"We discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest:
Iraq, nuclear programs of Iran, Nagorno-Karabakh – Azerbaijan conflict
and many others. Armenia and Lebanon are active members of the
international community, and our views are similar in regard to the
establishment of peace and security in the region and the world. We
have a future of warm and friendly relations with Armenia. I invite
Minister Oskanyan to Lebanon to participate in the sitting of the
joint Armenian-Lebanese Commission," the Lebanese Minister of Foreign
affairs and Emigrants added.

Turning to the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh issue, Fawzi
Salloukh noted, "We do not see the Karabakh conflict as a religious
one. This is a conflict for land, and we are ready to apply efforts
and assist those who are trying to resolve the issue peacefully. We
are confident that wars proceed from the interests of the conflicting
sides, diplomacy and peace talks are proper way. We hope for a peaceful
end, which will satisfy both sides."