PAET: ARMENIAN RECONCILIATION WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES IN BEST INTEREST OF EUROPEAN SECURITY

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
hiiv_kuup=kuup_2009
June 12 2009
Estonia

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, in Armenia on a visit, stated that it
is in Estonia’s security interests for the conflicts and dissensions
in Lower Karabakh to be resolved. "This includes the resolution of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the normalisation of Armenia-Turkey
relations, and the support of Georgia’s territorial integrity,"
said Paet.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said during his meetings with Armenian
state leaders today that Estonia is interested in developing relations
with Armenia in the political, economic and cultural fields.

Both the Estonian and Armenian foreign ministers expressed hope that
the Estonia-Armenia business forum opened today is an important step
for economic relations. "Estonian businesses have not yet discovered
Armenia and its investment opportunities. Hopefully this business
seminar is a good start for intensifying contacts in the future,"
said Paet in Jerevan while opening the seminar. The Armenian side
expressed a lively interest in Estonia’s e-democracy and information
technology development, as well as in sharing the experiences of
constructing Estonia’s insurance system.

During his official visit in Armenia, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet
talked about Estonia-Armenia relations, Armenia’s relations with the
European Union and NATO, and co-operation within the framework of
European Neighbourhood Policy and Eastern Partnership in meetings
with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Parliament Speaker Hovik
Abrahamjan, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and Economic Minister
Nerses Yeritsian.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet brought up Estonia’s wish for Armenia to
abolish the visa requirement for Estonian citizens. "Estonia would
also like to sign a readmission agreement with Armenia as soon as
possible," Paet noted, adding that Estonia is prepared to abolish
its visa requirement for carriers of Armenian diplomatic passports.

Armenian Economic Minister Nerses Yeritsian, during his meeting with
Foreign Minister Paet, expressed interest in Estonia’s pension system
and informed the foreign minister that Armenia would like to create
a pension pillar programme based on Estonia’s example.

During his meeting with Foreign Minister Nalbandian, Paet said that
Eastern Partnership is a good opportunity for Armenia to grow closer
to the European Union. "I hope that Armenia will use the opportunities
offered by Eastern Partnership in every way possible," said Paet. "We
hope that as a result of Eastern Partnership co-operation, close
economic relations will be created between the target states and
the European Union, and that in the future we will also achieve the
conclusion of a comprehensive free trade agreement," he added.

When talking about co-operation between the two nations, Paet
also mentioned the training opportunities that Estonia offers to
Armenian diplomats. "Young Armenian diplomats participate in the
short-term training on European Union and NATO integration organised
by the Estonian School of Diplomacy. The programme will continue for
another year," Paet noted. "For six years now, Estonia has co-operated
with Sweden to organise trainings for Armenian rescue specialists,"
he added.

Other topics discussed were the region’s security situation, relations
with neighbours, and energy issues. Paet emphasised at the meeting
that Estonia supports the peaceful and constructive resolution of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. "The steps taken between Armenia
and Azerbaijan to find a peaceful solution to the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict are encouraging," he stated. While talking about Armenia-NATO
co-operation, Paet noted that Estonia would be happy to see Armenia
participating in the reconstruction of Afghanistan within the framework
of NATO’s ISAF peacekeeping mission.