MP: "CAUCASIAN ALLIANCE" IMPORTANT TO ARMENIA

ARKA
Sep 3, 2008

YEREVAN, September 3. /ARKA/. Development of a regional cooperation
platform is very important to Armenia, member of Armenian Parliament
from the ruling Republican Party of Armenia Chairman of Parliament
Commission on Financial Issues Gagik Minasyan said.

The alliance is first of all an economic initiative enabling
direct settlement of the regional political issues, he told a press
conference.

On August 11, Turkish Premier Erdogan proposed creating a Caucasian
Alliance to stabilize the regional situation and involve the countries
of the region, as well as Russia, the USA and Turkey. Turkish Foreign
Minister Ali Babajan is expected to negotiate with his Russian
counterpart Sergey Lavrov on format of dialogue with Armenia.

According to Minasyan, Azerbaijan may oppose formation of the platform
as it is trying to hold Turkey "captive" in Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict.

According to the MP, substantial changes cannot be achieved in the
region without economic development. Minasyan also pointed out that
implementation of the initiative will unblock Armenia and will help
prevent possible humanitarian catastrophes in the region.