President.am, Armenia
Sept 6 2009
Statement of President Sargsyan at the annual gathering of the MFA
senior executive staff and Heads of the Armenian Embassies and
Consulates abroad
Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This is one of our traditional meetings which take place in the
framework of the annual ambassadorial gathering. These gatherings
provide a good opportunity to evaluate the ongoing developments in
your host countries and international organizations and look together
for the answers for the emerging challenges and issues.
You represent the highest level of political planning in the area of
foreign relations and these gatherings are also expected to produce
practical proposals and programs regarding our future activities.
My present statement consists of two major parts: First, we will talk
about the main directions of the Armenian foreign policy and current
developments, and in the second part we will deal with the activities
of the Embassies and the work ahead.
At the outset, I would like to make a note regarding our country’s
standing on the international arena and I would like to invite special
attention to this issue. Today, Armenia appears to the world as a
stable, predictable, and reliable partner, the positions of which are
comprehended and appreciated. Major international players and centers
respect our country, a country which has proved its reliability on the
regional, bilateral and international levels. As a result, all we have
been advocating since regaining independence reverberates today in
international quarters and with regard to our country and essential
regional issues the international community maintains positions which
overall concur with our views.
A number of important developments have taken place since our last
meeting.
I would like to make a special reference to the multifaceted and wide
ranging relations with our strategic partner, Russia. We will continue
to undertake all necessary steps to further deepen and strengthen our
relations in all areas. We have already had many meetings on the
presidential level, including reciprocal state visits.
I have already started a series of visits to the regions of the
Russian Federation, particularly, to those with a sizeable Armenian
population. I am confident that there is a great potential in working
with the Russian regions for fostering Armenian-Russian economic
relations as well as for inspiring our compatriots and strengthening
their ties with Armenia.
At the first signs of economic crisis we received a 0mln loan from the
Russian Federation, which was used to mitigate the impact of the
crisis.
Substantial progress was registered during Armenia’s presidency at the
Collective Security Treaty Organization, when fundamental decisions on
the Organization’s enhanced efficiency were developed and
adopted. First and foremost, I mean the decisions related to the
establishment of rapid response forces. Initial military exercises
will take place shortly, or to be precise, their first phase has
already begun. We consider it to be an important element in upgrading
Armenia’s security level.
I want to mention with satisfaction that our friendly relations with
the United States expand day by day, dynamics of which underwent
changes after the elections in the US and with the accession of the
new administration. There is a mutual desire and will to further
develop these relations. We maintain direct contacts with the White
House and the State Department. There are numerous programs in the
areas of democracy strengthening, security, and expansion of economic
relations.
The Armenian American community is a natural link bridging our two
countries. Through their efforts Armenia has many friends in the US
Congress. Levels of assistance to Armenia have been maintained for
years.
Our experience of recent months, related to the normalization of the
Armenian-Turkish relations, has also become a distinct factor within
the Armenia-US relations. There are some critics, who claim that our
initiatives directed at the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish
relations barred the President of the United States from using word
Genocide in his April 24 statement. I have already said this and would
like to repeat that I am confident that our actions in no way hindered
the United States and one needs just to look into the American sources
to give a right assessment to the ongoing process, and I am confident
that sooner or later that assessment will be given.
We will continue to deepen our vigorous cooperation with Europe both
bilaterally as well as in the framework of European structures. We
have recorded two momentous developments in our relations with the
European Union. First, the Easter Neighborhood program has been
launched. Second, by the invitation of the Armenian side a group of
European experts arrived to Armenia and started to work. We believe
that this format of cooperation with the European Union is one of the
best means to continue the process of reforms in Armenia.
The Eastern Partnership provides endless opportunities to use the
European potential. We need to get the best of European experiences
and expert assistance. We must be persistent and proactive seeking and
using all the opportunities provided in Brussels as well as in the
European capitals. We should also insist on receiving from the
European Union and the European countries adequate assistance and
support envisaged for partner countries.
Armenia has been provided with the opportunity to make use of the
general system of preferences and that opportunity must be utilized
expediently. We should be more aggressive in promoting Armenian goods
in the European markets and work diligently to sign the free trade
agreement. We must solve promptly all the internal problems which will
get us closer to gaining an eased visa regime with the EU. For quite
some time we have been unable to register concrete results in
establishing a general center for the EU entry visas. We haven’t
received any objection with this regard from the European structures,
but we do not take steps that would bring us closer to solving that
problem. Armenia and Europe are linked by the similar system of
values. To make that similarity generate new results it is necessary
for our societies and individuals to interact more actively.
Our relations with NATO are progressing; results of Armenia’s
Individual Partnership Action Plan are encouraging as are the results
and level of Armenia’s participation in the international peacekeeping
operations.
We will continue efficient cooperation with our neighbors – Iran and
Georgia. Further development of good-neighborly relations with these
countries is of crucial importance for the Armenian foreign policy.
Together with the Islamic Republic of Iran we launched the
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, while during my official visit to Tehran we
reached understanding regarding the implementation of a number of new
infrastructure projects. With our colleagues from the Asian
Development Bank we have started the North-South highway construction
project which will undoubtedly become a strong impetus not only for
Armenia-Iran but a number of new regional initiatives.
With Georgia too we continue our political dialogue on the highest
level. We exchanged visits on the Presidential level. At this very
moment intensive works are underway on Gyumri-Akhaltskha-Bavra-Batum
road, the conclusion of which will allow to facilitate shipping from
Armenia to the Black See and in the opposite direction.
We should do our best to provide possible assistance to the Armenian
community of Georgia. Logic of our policy toward Javakhk should rest
on `integration without assimilation’ premise. In this case,
integration should presume strengthening of the Armenians in Georgia
as dignified, able and respected citizens of that country. I believe
that recognition of the Armenian as a regional language, registration
of the Armenian Apostolic Church, steps to protect Armenian monuments
in Georgia will only strengthen Armenian-Georgian friendship and
enhance the atmosphere of mutual trust. On all these issues we should
be considerate but also persistent and principled.
Invigoration of our relations with the Arab world remains an important
issue on the agenda of the Armenian foreign policy. Dynamic
development of these relations in the first years of independence was
followed by a stalemate which is to be overcome and steps on that
direction have already been taken.
We have been maintaining close relations with China and India, which
hold a special place in Armenia’s policy toward the Asian region.
I stressed it during our last meeting and I would like to underscore
it now: it is necessary to further develop relations with our
traditional partners as well with the countries relations with which
are not yet at the adequate level. It goes for the countries of the
South-East Asia, Australia, and the Latin American countries.
Now, I would like to talk about two pivotal issues of our foreign
policy: Nagorno Karabakh peace process and our initiative for the
normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations. ***
About the NK peace process:
Our negotiations with Azerbaijan with the mediation of the OSCE Minsk
Group are being conducted in a rather visible and comprehensible
format. As you know, with the President of Azerbaijan we have already
met six times. The Maindorf Declaration was signed in November, 2008,
there was a joint statement of the Heads of the MG Co-chair countries,
and the Co-Chairs have presented the general outline of the Madrid
principles. I am sure there is nothing new for you in these
publications, but the public at large saw all these principles brought
together and heard from official sources for the first time. I attach
great importance to the fact that there is not a single point in those
documents on which we failed to inform the public on our viewpoints
and approaches. Publication of these documents proved that we never
lied and never tried to mislead our own people on the issues that were
negotiated.
Obviously, there are some provisions in the documents that differ,
sometimes considerably, from our desired ideal settlement. It is also
obvious however that all the players realize that the right of people
of Nagorno Karabakh for self-determination and issues of comprehensive
security guarantees for Nagorno Karabakh are the cornerstones of these
documents.
I do understand the roots of anxiety in some circles in Armenia and
Artsakh. The NK issue is a sacred issue and thousands of our fellow
citizens put their lives on the altar of the cause, for which we have
been enduring hardships, but it is also one of the most glorious pages
of our history. There is no doubt in my mind that any Armenian leader,
who has been involved in the resolution of the NK conflict, realizes
the enormous responsibility before our people, our history and our
future generations.
Any other point of view is either the result of ignorance or petty
profiteering. In case of Artsakh petty profiteering is unacceptable.
It is important that you explain everyone, and first of all the
officials in your host countries, that the NK settlement is not an
issue of days, weeks, or even months. Everyone must understand clearly
that currently we are negotiating over only some of the basic
principles for settlement. Even if the agreement is reached on these,
that are still many other principles to be negotiated, and after that
` the agreement itself, which will regulate the details for
implementation. That process requires huge work.
At this stage our priority will be to ensure security of Nagorno
Karabakh during the negotiation period and to achieve a proper
understanding of the issue on behalf of the international
community. In this struggle the Armenian people have been the ones
fighting for survival and freedom and no one has any right to call the
people of Artsakh, who defended their right to live with blood,
`aggressor’. Our response to that must be forceful, confident, and
compelling. This is particularly important for our Ambassadors
accredited to the countries-members of the Islamic Conference. We
should redouble our efforts for neutralizing negative impact of the
resolutions either adopted by that organization or future ones.
On the Armenian-Turkish relations:
As you already know, a joint statement on the process of normalizing
Armenian-Turkish relations was released yesterday. The documents,
which fully reflect the agreements made so far, have also been
publicized: Protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations
between the two countries and Protocol on the development of bilateral
relations.
At the meeting with you last year I set out the objectives that I
pursued by inviting the President of Turkey to Armenia. Armenia
approximated the possibility of normalizing Armenian-Turkish
relations. The awareness and commitment of the international community
has been increased.
I have sought to normalize relations with our neighboring country with
dignity as it is appropriate to the civilized world of the 21st
century.
I think that these protocols open up that opportunity. The drafts made
public yesterday reflect three vital realities:
1.As I have repeatedly stated, the talks conducted with Turkey and the
agreements attained do not contain any precondition related to the
peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict or any other
issue related to that.
2.As we have stressed, the issues on the historical dimension will be
discussed not within the committee of historians but rather within one
of the sub-commissions of the intergovernmental commission.
3.For the first time in the history of independent Armenia public
debates will precede the signing of the most important international
documents. The debates will enable to listen to all the views and
approaches.
On this issue I anticipate your active participation. You should lead
an active part during the public discussions in Armenia as well as in
Diaspora. You should explain the provisions of the pre-signed
Protocols in detail, both their positive and, why not, also
controversial elements.
I also anticipate that shortly we will be having vigorous discussions
in the Armenian communities abroad and international research
centers. With this regard you should also provide necessary venues for
the meetings and presentations of the speakers from Armenia.
Dear Colleagues,
Area of foreign relations is one of the crucial elements of our
national security. You are entrusted with the important and
responsible mission. The diplomatic missions of Armenia are our first
points of entry and foreigners get their first impression by stepping
over that threshold and meeting with you. It means that positive
impression of Armenia depends on your professionalism, attitude and
image.
Since becoming the President of Armenia I have appointed more than ten
Ambassadors. Only two of them were political nominees, who never
before were employed in diplomatic service. It means that I want to
view diplomatic work as a professional activity, the cornerstones of
which are your professional qualities and dedication to Armenia, not
to a person. But that approach of mine requires reciprocal
responsibility.
It is great honor to be called Armenian diplomat. One must be
deserving of that honor every day and every minute and that honor must
be carried with the greatest responsibility. I wish you success and I
wish this annual gathering productive work.
Thank you.