ARMENIAN PRESIDENT: "OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT HAVE NOT BEEN EXHAUSTED YET"

Today
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May 22 2008
Azerbaijan

Deepening of Armenia’s cooperation with EU will accelerate
democratization and development of the country’s economy.

The due announcement was made by Armenian President Serzh Sarkissyan
during the meeting with representatives of the diplomatic missions of
the EU countries in Armenia and delegation of the European Commission.

The program of Armenia’s actions in the framework of the European
Neighborhood Policy, fully complies with the program of the Armenian
government and the proposed democratic reforms.

Serzh Sarkisstan voiced satisfaction with the steps on the
implementation of the Armenia-EU program of actions and the due
assessments of the European Commission. He said Armenia strives
to joining the GSP+ regime, to get the market status from the
European Union and sign an agreement on free trade with the EU. In
this connection, according to the Armenian President, the priority
for the country will be the improvement of the business-atmosphere,
profound reforms in the customs sphere.

Serzh Sarkissyan noted that regardless of the post-election processes,
the conduction of democratic reforms is necessary for Armenia. He
voiced regret that the government did not manage to prevent the March
1 events in Yerevan.

According to the Armenian President, the authorities are responsible
for the events and the way out of the situation lies in the execution
of regulations of the PACE resolution. During the meeting Serzh
Sarkissyan presented his approach to the resolution of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict, noting that official Yerevan speaks for the
peaceful resolution of the issue, while Azerbaijan continues making
militaristic declarations.

At the same time, he considers that chances of the peaceful resolution
of the problem have not been exhausted yet and are possible if talks
continue considering basic principles.

The President of Armenia said regarding the Armenian-Turkish relations
that Armenian side is ready to restore relations with Turkey without
any conditions and all disputable questions can be discussed in the
framework of intergovernmental relations and talks.

On behalf of the diplomats French Ambassador Serzh Smesov highly
assessed the tradition of such meetings and noted that these
discussions are useful for them.