FOREIGN MINISTER OSKANIAN MAKES SPEECH AT CONFERENCE ON IRAQ
BRUSSELS, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On June 22,
Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian participated in
an international conference on Iraq, at the invitation of the US
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the Secretary General of the
European Union Javier Solana. More than 80 foreign ministers attended
the conference and discussed support for Iraq’s political transition
process, encouraging its economic recovery and reconstruction, and
helping establish the rule of law and public order in the country.
Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the UN, together with Jean Asselborn,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg which holds the EU
Presidency, as well as Secretary Rice spoke about building a renewed
international partnership to help Iraq. Representatives of the Iraqi
Transitional Government presented their vision and strategy at the
conference held in Brussels. At the conference, Minister Oskanian
said, “We commend and appreciate the simple act of convening this
conference. It was important for everyone. It was significant for
those in Iraq who need to know that the world continues to remain
engaged, and it is reinforcing for those involved in the effort to
re-build Iraq.” “The people of Iraq need and deserve the persistent
political and economic involvement of all of us around the world. Even
countries like Armenia, with modest resources, can continue to
maintain a small, symbolic presence there,” he said, referring to the
40 non-combat medical personnel who have been engaged there since the
beginning of the year. “Armenians know well the value of moral support
and the driving force of concerned onlookers. Further, as the foreign
minister of a country and a people still living through the difficult
and trying period of transition, I can tell you that it is only
through sustained economic support, through the long-term investment
of serious economic resources, that a society will begin to believe in
the prospect of peace, in the promise of democracy.” The Minister also
noted the presence of Armenians in Iraq. “Iraq is blessed with natural
resources. Those include not just those in the ground, but also the
wealth that is derived from its ethnic diversity. A sizable and old
Armenian community is part of that mix, and we know that together with
the other citizens of Iraq they look forward to contributing to Iraq’s
prosperous, peaceful future.” Minister Oskanian concluded by saying,
“Armenia, in turn, looks forward to developing and strengthening
bilateral relations with a peaceful, unified and democratic Iraq. It
is only 200 miles, as the crow flies, between our two capitals, and
the ability to easily communicate and cooperate is an exciting one for
all of us.”
