RIA Oreanda, Russia
May 27 2008
RA Prime Minister Received Republic of Slovakia Minister of Justice
Yerevan. ">OREANDA-NEWS . May 27, 2008. In stating the positive
dynamics of political relations between the two countries, the Prime
Minister said that economic ties still fell short and expressed hope
Mr. Harabin’s visit would promote progress in this field as
well. Tigran Sargsyan prioritized the creation of an appropriate legal
framework between the two countries by stressing the need for signing
an agreement on avoidance of double taxation as shortly as possible,
as well as on air communications and an arrangement on military
cooperation.
Noting that the furtherance of relations with the European Union kept
on standing high on Armenia’s foreign policy agenda, the head of the
Armenian government prioritized the signing of a memorandum of
understanding with Slovakia on cooperation in the field of
euro-integration, as well as the interaction under the EU-Armenia
Joint Action Plan. Tigran Sargsyan also touched upon the proposal of
the Slovak side on establishment of a nuclear power plant
decommissioning fund.
Slovakia’s Minister of Justice, Vice-Prime Minister Stephan Harabin
briefed the RA Prime Minister on his country’s latest economic
developments and reforms inclusive of the ones underway in the
judiciary. He spoke of Slovakia’s failures and achievements in this
area which in his words might be of service to Armenia. He said to
have agreed with his Armenian counterpart Gevorg Danielyan upon a
responsive visit during which Slovakia’s experience might be presented
in more detail. Stephan Harabin advised that he has drafted a bill on
Armenian Genocide condemnation which will be submitted to Slovakia’s
National Council for consideration.
According to him, the bill is a statement of the historical truth and
may be seen as an important tool for the prevention of similar crimes
in future as, in his opinion, failure in its condemnation in early
20th century resulted in further genocides.
The head of the Armenian government thanked Mr. Harabin for his
interested approach and strong arguments on this issue and, wishing
him every success in his future activities, reiterated the importance
of the present visit as to the development of the Armenian-Slovak
bilateral relations.