ARMENIAN PRIME MINISTER: THERE IS NO OTHER REASONABLE WAY OF SOLVING KARAKH PROBLEM THAN TO MAKE COMPROMISE

Noyan Tapan
Jun 15 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 15, NOYAN TAPAN. "The European Union is following with
interest the election process, whose results are also important in
that after the adoption of the EU-Armenia action plan, Armenia is
the first South Caucasian country to have held elections. By these
elections, Armenia may serve as an example for its neighbors," the
Armenian prime minister Serge Sargsian said during the June 15 meeting
with the EU Special representative Peter Semneby. Underlining that the
election results were also important from the viewpoint of relations
with other regional countries, he expressed a hope that this positive
trend will continue at the presidential elections to be held next year.

S. Sargsian in his turn expressed confidence that these positive
trends will continue and even more develop not only prior to the
upcoming parliamentary eelctions but efforts will be made so that
the democratic process will become irreversible in Armenia.

According to the RA Government Information and PR Department, during
the meeting the interlocutors also discussed in detail the process
of Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. P. Semneby noted that the
EU is continuing to be greatly interested in the settlement of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict not only because Armenia and Azerbaijan
are important partners for the EU but also with the aim of creating
an atmosphere of confidence and providing greater assistance.

S. Sargsian said that the frequent statements of the Azerbaijani
president, this country’s defence expenditures increasing with every
year give only pessimism – in contrast to Armenia’s constructive
approach and its position to settle the conflict peacefully through
negotiations, which inspires optimism.

The EU special representative attempted to explain Azerbaijan’s
bellicose propaganda by the mode of action of its mass media, saying
that in the recent period the president I. Aliyev does not seem to
have manifested this position in his approach. P. Semneby once again
underlined the EU’s approach to solve the conflict in an atmosphere
of trust through peace negotiations.

S. Sargsian re-asserted Armenia’s position, pointing out that no
one should view compromise as a unilateral concession, and everybody
should realize that compromise is the only reasonable way to settle
the conflict. In his words, Armenia is prepared to activize contacts at
all levels and create an atmosphere of trust, but unfortunately so far
there have been no such positive impulses from the Azerbaijani side.