MEETINGS OF ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN IN BRUSSELS
ARMENPRESS
Nov 6, 2008
BRUSSELS, NOVEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
who is in Brussels on an official visit met on November 5 with
NATO Secretary General Yaap de Hoop Scheffer. During the meeting
Serzh Sargsyan and Yaap de Hoop Scheffer discussed Armenia-NATO
cooperation, Nagorno Karabakh conflict regulation negotiation process,
Armenian-Turkish political dialogue, regional security issues,
cooperation in peacekeeping activity.
The sides highly assessed the current level of Armenia-NATO
partnership, said they are pleased with the pace of implementation
of Individual Partnership Action Program (IPAP), positively assessed
recent military exercises held in Armenia.
President Sargsyan underscored cooperation with NATO as an important
element of Armenia’s security. The sides underscored the establishment
of peace and security in the region, political way of regulation of
the existing issues as the only acceptable way. NATO Secretary General
highly assessed Armenian-Turkish dialogue and the changes registered
in Nagorno Karabakh conflict regulation process and expressed his
support to the process.
On the same day Serzh Sargsyan met with the deputy chairman of the
European Commission, Justice Commissioner Jacques Baro. During
the meeting the sides discussed prospects of cooperation in the
implementation of judicial reforms, fighting against corruption,
international legal regulation of readmission of citizens, possibility
of facilitation of visa regime.
With the request of the commissioner Serzh Sargsyan presented the
judicial reforms and steps carried out in Armenia towards fighting
against corruption.
The Justice Commissioner expressed readiness to provide necessary
expertise and technical support to the Armenian leadership in that
sphere. During the meeting the sides also referred to different issues
connected with the legal-agreement field between Armenian Republic
and European Union.
In the European Commission the president’s last meetings were conducted
with transport and trade affairs commissioners.
During the meeting with the Transport Commissioner Antonio Tayan
the Armenian president presented in details Armenia’s initiatives on
development of alternative ways of communication in the region.
The commissioner greeted the agreements reached over construction
of Iran-Armenia railway as well as arrangements between Armenian and
Georgian presidents on construction of new alternative road connecting
the two countries. The sides agreed to activate joint work towards
the development of regional communication network.
During the meeting with the Trade Affairs Commissioner Mrs. Katerin
Ashton, the main issue of the discussion was the process of joining
of Armenia to the Free Trade Agreement. Armenian president pointed
out Armenia’s wish to sign such agreement with EU as soon as
possible. Katerin Ashton suggested that the discussions continue
in that direction and offered expertise support in new format. An
agreement has been reached to establish a clear time schedule of the
process during the coming visit of the commissioner to Armenia.
In the evening of November 5 in "La Plaza" hotel Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan met with the representatives of Belgian Armenian
community. During the meeting the president delivered a speech.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress