AUSTRIA’S PLASSNIK, ARMENIAN FM DISCUSS EU, ENERGY, SOUTHERN CAUCASUS

Austrian Foreign Ministry website, Vienna
16 Apr 07

[Press release: "Plassnik: ‘Dynamic Development of Relations With
States in South Caucasus’; Foreign Minister Plassnik Meets With
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian"]

Vienna, 16 April 2007 – "This year marks the 15th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between Austria and the Republic
of Armenia. During this period bilateral relations have developed
very well -thanks to Armenia’s positive economic development our
trade relations have multiplied in recent years.

Nevertheless, there is still a great potential for the further
expansion of our contacts in fields such as business and culture," said
Foreign Minister Plassnik today on the occasion of the visit to Vienna
by Armenia’s Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian. "South Caucasus is the
bridge between Europe and Asia and is therefore of great significance,
not only for Austria but for the entire EU. Hence, the development of
this region was an important concern of both Austria’s EU Presidency
in 2006 and OSCE Chairmanship in 2000," said Plassnik.

The Minister welcomed the signing of an action plan within the
framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy in November 2006 as
an important step to promote political and economic reforms. This
endeavour focused on the principles of democracy and human rights.

"In this context the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia
are of special significance," emphasised Plassnik, reminding that
essential preliminary preparations for the action plan had been
carried out under Austria’s EU Presidency. "I expect these elections
to be conducted in full compliance with international standards,"
said the Foreign Minister. According to Plassnik Austria will also
send election observers to support the local authorities.

Another point on the agenda was Armenia’s Medzamor nuclear power
plant. Plassnik expressed her concern about Armenia’s plans to
maintain operation of this plant until 2016. "In the event of a binding
agreement between the EU and Armenia on closing down Medzamor before
the end of 2016 Austria is prepared to participate in EU support for
Armenia in the energy sector," said the Foreign Minister.

Plassnik emphasised the importance of extensive cooperation in the
energy sector and welcomed the plan for the construction of a common
gas pipeline by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Iran.

The talks also focused on the conflict over Nagorny-Karabakh and
the situation in Georgia: "We hope that acceptable solutions to
all partners to these unresolved conflicts can be found. A peaceful
solution would make an essential contribution to stabilising the whole
region, which would enable the people in the region to look to the
future once more," said the Foreign Minister. In this connection the
Foreign Minister expressed her support for an improvement of relations
between Armenia and Turkey and in particular for an opening of their
common border.