TOP UK OFFICIALS VISIT ARMENIA
Armenpress
YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS: The UK embassy in Armenia said Sir Brian
Fall (United Kingdom Representative to the South Caucasus) and Simon
Smith (Head of Eastern Department in the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office in London) have arrived on a three-day visit to Armenia on
June 12.
The embassy said the visit is the first part of a preparatory tour of
countries in the South Caucasus before the United Kingdom assumes the
Presidency of the European Union on 1 July. It will include calls
on President Robert Kocharian, Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian,
Trade Minister Karen Chshmaritian and Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham
Gharibjanyan, as well as members of the opposition and NGOs working
in the fields of democracy and governance.
The objective is to have an exchange of views on issues which will
be discussed between Armenia and the European Union during the course
of the British Presidency. These are likely to include in particular
efforts to reach a lasting solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
and developments following the extension of the European Neighborhood
Policy to Armenia.
Sir Brian Fall was previously the United Kingdom Special Representative
to Georgia. His remit was extended in 2002 to cover the South
Caucasus. The embassy said his appointment underlines the commitment
of the British Government to play an active part in the efforts of
the international community to prevent or resolve conflict, and to
establish a stable basis for peace and prosperity in each of the three
countries and in the region as a whole. Simon Smith was appointed Head
of Eastern Department in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2004.