National Assembly of RA, Armenia
Jan 15 2008

Meetings of EU Special Representative for South Caucasus in the
National Assembly

On January 14 during the meeting of Mr. Armen Rustamyan, Chairman of
the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations and Mr. Peter Semneby,
Ambassador, EU Special Representative for South Caucasus issues on
the settlement of the Armenian-Turkish relations were discussed.

Stressing the parliamentary hearings dedicated to the settlement of
the Armenian-Turkish relations Mr. Semneby asked Mr. Rustamyan to
present the committee’s position on the further steps to be taken in
this direction.

Mr. Rustamyan said that the response of the parliamentary hearings is
positive, and though those invited from the Turkish side did not come
for the discussion of that important issue, it’s obvious that for the
settlement of inner-state relations both sides need concrete steps
and joint discussions. At the NA Standing Committee on Foreign
Relations a subcommittee on Studying the Armenian-Turkish relations
will be set up, which will elaborate the approaches of the Armenian
side and submit to the Committee. Mr. Rustamyan expressed hope that
in future the representatives of parliaments of Armenia and Turkey
will meet and discuss that issue of great importance for two
countries, which can become a beginning of inner-state relations.

Mr. Semneby expressed satisfaction for constructive position, noting
that it corresponds with his approaches and ensured that the European
Union will support the initiative of the Armenian side, and he
personally encourages that step. The EU Ambassador noted that
recently he met the Ambassador of Turkey to Georgia and talked about
the hearings held in the parliament of Armenia, which referred to the
Armenian-Turkish relations and caused the Ambassador’s great
interest. He is intended in February to leave for Ankara, where he
will discuss that issue with the Turkish parliamentarians and
representatives of diplomatic corps too.

Both sides expressed confidence that the issue under discussion is
not only a problem of bilateral relations, but also a regional
important problem, in case of consistency one can settle it step by
step. Mr. Armen Rustamyan and Mr. Peter Semneby expressed willingness
to meet again at the beginning of March, having more practical
proposals and programmes on the settlement of the Armenian-Turkish
relations.

Mr. Avet Adonts, Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on European
Integration also received the delegation, headed by Mr. Peter
Semneby, Ambassador, EU Special Representative for South Caucasus.
The sides referred to the relations of the European Union and the
Republic of Armenia, regional problems and upcoming presidential
elections.

Mr. Adonts considered necessary the development of EU-Armenia
relations, noting that the European integration continues to remain
the priority of Armenia’s foreign policy. He emphasized the regional
cooperation and the development of partnership. Mr. Adonts noted that
the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan should be turned into
concrete, pragmatic and practical one. Speaking about further
development of Armenia-NATO relations, Mr. Adonts said that Armenia
is for the development of relations with NATO and their more
deepening. To his conviction, Armenia should use the experience of
NATO in the sphere of security within the realm of possibility.

Mr. Avet Adonts, Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on European
Integration, stressed the conduct of the presidential elections in
compliance with European standards. He believes that both the
political forces of opposition and authorities must be be interested
in holding qualitative elections.

Mr. Peter Semneby, Ambassador, EU Special Representative for South
Caucasus, stressed the presidential elections from the view of the
country’s further development. According to him, the elections
clarify the quality of the public life and the relations with partner
states. Referring to the Armenian-Turkish relations, Mr. Semneby
highlighted their improvement also in the context of regional
developments and expressing readiness for the support of the European
Union.

In response to Mr. Semneby’s question, Mr. Avet Adonts noted that in
the issue of the European Union there are no disagreements among the
political forces, everybody is aware of the importance of the process
of European integration. Mr. Adonts is sure that the EU has not
exhausted its opportunities from the view of the settlement of the
Armenian-Turkish relationship. He expressed conviction that the EU
can promote the establishment of inner-state relations of Armenia and
Turkey. In his opinion the settlement of the Armenian-Turkish
relations can be an important stimulus of the regional stable
development.

At the meeting the sides discussed other issues of bilateral interest
and on further cooperation.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress