IT IS DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE HOW ALIEV WILL EXPLAIN HIS MILITANT STATEMENTS AFTER REACHING COMPROMISE ON KARABAKH

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.06.2007 14:54

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "After approving the Armenia-EU Action Plan first
elections were held in Armenia among the three south Caucasian
states, and in this respect the republic may serve as an example for
neighbors," EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Peter
Semneby stated at the meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Serzh
Sargsyan. In his part Serzh Sargsyan underlined the coming presidential
elections will also be held on proper level and Armenia will take
every efforts to make democratic transformations irreversible. "I
state this not only as the RA Prime Minister, but also as the leader
of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA)," Sargsyan underscored,
adding that in order to be sure in it there is only 8 months left.

The sides also discussed issues concerning the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict settlement. According to the Premier, the most rational way
for Karabakh resolution is compromise. "At the same time nobody must
view compromise as a unilateral concession. I regret that periodic
militant statements, which we hear from Azeri President and annual
increase of the military budget, inspire pessimism, despite the
constrictive position of the Armenian side that arises optimism
and her intention to settle the problem via peaceful talks," Serzh
Sargsyan underscored.

"If Azerbaijan really is ready to compromise and reach peaceful
solution to the conflict, why authorities of that country do not
make public statements, which would confirm that. Instead they act
contrary to logic, supposing that speaking from the position of
force they will be able to make someone sign a document, which would
satisfy them. This approach is doomed to failure. It is difficult to
imagine how Aliev will explain his militant statements after reaching
compromise on Karabakh," S. Sargsyan said

He also stressed Armenia is ready for active contacts on various
levels, as well as to build atmosphere of mutual confidence. The
RA Premier expressed pity that there are no positive signals from
Azerbaijan yet. In his part Peter Semneby stated that the EU continues
to perform interest in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
not only because Armenia and Azerbaijan are important partners for
the European Union, but also aiming to establish an atmosphere of
confidence and providing great assistance to both countries.

Semneby shares the concerns of Armenia’s Prime Minister in connection
with the militant propaganda in Azerbaijan, explaining it "by the work
style of Azeri media". "But recently it seems that nothing similar
is noticed in Azeri President Ilham Aliev’s approaches.

EU’s stance in the settlement of the conflict remains the same, it
must be settled in the atmosphere of mutual confidence and through
peaceful talks, and we are ready to provide assistance in this issue,"
the EU Special Representative underscored, the RA Government Press
Office reports.