EU PRESIDENCY CALLS FOR SOONEST RATIFICATION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH PROTOCOLS

/ ARKA /
October 27, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, October 27, /ARKA/. Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt,
speaking for the current EU Presidency, welcomed the signing of
Turkish-Armenian protocols, expressing hope that Armenia and Turkey
will ratify the protocols as soon as possible and will get down to
their unconditional implementation, the Armenian foreign ministry
said in a press release.

It said Carl Bildt made the statement during a joint news conference
in Luxemburg with foreign ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Georgia.Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU Commissioner for External
Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, was also present at the
news conference.

Armenian and Turkish foreign ministers Edward Nalbandian and Ahmet
Davutoglu signed October 10 in Zurich two protocols on establishment
of diplomatic relations and development of bilateral relations. The
protocols need to be ratified by the parliaments of both countries.

The foreign ministry’s press release said Carl Bildt also assessed
highly the progress achieved between Armenia and the EU.

It also quoted Benita Ferrero-Waldner as saying that the 100 euro
assistance promised by the European Union to Armenia, designed to
alleviate its worst economic downturn, will help the government to
put the economy back on track.

Before the news conference Edward Nalbandian had a meeting with EU
Foreign Policy and Security chief Javier Solana to discuss EU-Armenia
and regional issues.