AMB. GABRIELYAN ON ARMENIA-IRELAND RELATIONS, KARABAKH CONFLICT, RUSSIA AND EU TIES

armradio.am
04.03.2009 14:14

In an interview with the Irish Metro Ã~Iireann newspaper Armenia’s
Ambassador to the United Kingdom,Dr Vahe Gabrielyan, spoke about
Armenia’s links with Ireland, the conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh
region, and reconciling Armenia’s close Russian ties with its European
aspirations.

Mr. Gabrielyan said the Armenian-Irish relations on a
government-to-government level are in their very young days. "However,
there are indeed many areas where we can closely co-operate.

We are interested in Ireland’s experience of European integration,
economic achievement and conflict resolution, in regulating relations
with a large diaspora, etc. Apart from the political dimension, which
we intend to expand on, we are very keen on developing comprehensive
economic co-operation," the Ambassador noted. He added that "we
are also in the process of finalizing an agreement on avoiding
double taxation which will be a good start, encouraging the business
communities on both sides to more seriously look into doing business
with each other."

Asked in what areas he sees prospects for economic relations between
the two countries, Ambassador Gabrielyan responded: "Apart from
the traditional ranches of economy such as mining, heavy industry,
chemical industry, textiles and agriculture, Armenians have always been
good, like the Irish, in spheres of economy requiring high-standard
education, advanced skills and brainpower, spheres such as information
technologies, hi-tech software development, research, banking as well
as industries for which geographical barriers and transportation costs
are not important – diamond cutting and refining, jewellery making,
etc. Tourism is one of those with the highest potential, as are
organic food production, food processing and intellectual services."

Vahe Gabrielyan mentioned with pride the Armenian collection at the
Chester Beatty Library in Dublin, which is said to be the largest
collection of medieval illustrated Armenian manuscripts not in
Armenian hands.

The Ambassador recalled that in 1988, in the aftermath of the
devastating earthquake in Armenia, the Irish people showed their
warmth and generosity and were of great assistance both morally and
materially and that attitude means a lot to us’

Vahe Gabrielyan presented in detail the roots of the Karabakh conflict
and the negotiation process, as well as the Armenian genocide in
the Ottoman Empire in 1915 and the relations between Armenia and the
Armenian Diaspora shaped as a result of the genocide. He also gave
clarifications about Armenia’s Foreign policy priorities, particularly
issues of cooperation with the CIS, Russia and the European Union.

"Russia is our strategic partner and a very significant economic
partner and investor in our economy. All these ties are in our own
interest. I must make it clear, however, that integration into the
European community, structures and economy is a government priority
policy that we have announced since the early years of independence,
as well an express wish of the public. As the first country in the
world to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301, we believe that
we are bearers of European values and Europe is where we belong. The
policies of European integration that we have pursued consistently are
by no means contradictory to our maintaining of good relations with
Russia or the CIS countries. The two can successfully complement each
other and there is no disagreement – well at least on this issue –
between public opinion and the Government’s foreign policy. We do
see ourselves in Europe but understand well that we still have much
work to do to achieve the way of life that we aspire. We also believe
that once our aims and declared direction of development are clear,
they will be reached not by making loud statements and claims, but
through consistency of action, hard work and determination. We hope
that Ireland will stand by a friendly nation once or when the need
to assist on this road arises," Armenia’s Ambassador to the United
Kingdom.