AMBASSADOR OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC AT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
National Assembly of RA, Armenia
Nov 23 2006
On November 21 the President of the National Assembly of the Republic
of Armenia Mr. Tigran Torosyan received the newly appointed Ambassador
of the Republic of France to Armenia Mr. Serge Smessow.
The President of the National Assembly wished the Ambassador success
in his ambassadorial mission noting, that his officiating both in
Armenia, France and Europe coincides with a period full of interesting
events. Mr. Serge Smessow qualified his appointment as a difficult
and honorable one considering the high level of French-Armenian
relations in all spheres, the maintenance and development of which
the Ambassador considers his main purpose. He noted that the Action
Plan of the European Neighbourhood policy opens new perspectives for
South Caucasian countries. This is an important political and economic
step. The Ambassador highly appreciated the successes of Armenia in
European integration processes noting, that this assessment is shared
also in the European Union. Mr. Smessow assured, that from now on
too France is ready to support Armenia. He especially stressed the
importance of perspectives of regional cooperation, creation of free
trade zone and settlement of conflicts included in the Action Plan
considering those real opportunities of development.
The President of the National Assembly Mr. Tigran Torosyan touched upon
the European integration processes and noted, that the signed document
eventually has to prepare the country for joining the European Union,
but a long and serious work is needed for that. Mr. Torosyan mentioned
the economic successes of Armenia, but noted that political and
social reforms yield to the economic reforms. Meanwhile in order to
reach success in harmonic development these two processes have to go
in parallel. For the regional cooperation the NA President stressed
the importance of a clear position of the international community,
without which the settlement of conflicts is impossible.
For example, Azerbaijan finds, that first we have to solve the Nagorno
Karabakh issue, then discuss the perspectives of cooperation, while
Armenia prefers the creation of an atmosphere of mutual confidence and
cooperation, which in its turn, will facilitate the settlement of the
conflict. The NA President noted, that the European Union also has been
established in this way. Upon the Ambassador’s request, Mr. Torosyan
also touched upon the constitutional reforms and the Electoral Code. It
was noted, that the reform of the Constitution is an important step on
the way of democracy development, and that these reforms have already
started producing positive results in the social-political life in the
sense of deepening democracy. However, they will start to fully act
after the parliamentary and presidential elections. The NA President
said, that the Electoral Code with amendments to over 100 articles in
conformity with the recommendations of CE and OSCE experts would be
adopted through second reading after the made amendments about five
months before the elections. In order to hold elections in compliance
with the European standards, the NA President stressed the importance
of not only the Electoral Code and the existence of legislation,
but also the political will and the aspirations of political forces.
During the meeting the parties also touched upon the regulations of
the Nagorno Karabakh issue. Mr. Smessow, noting that the Co-chairmen
of OSCE Minsk Group are in Yerevan, expressed hope that it will mark
a new positive stage. However, the Ambassador noted that in Armenia
they refer to the perspectives of the settlement of the issue with
pessimism. The NA President Mr. Tigran Torosyan qualified the position
of the Armenian party not pessimistic, but realistic. He evaluated
the work of Co-chairmen positively, especially in the latest period,
when the principles of self-determination of nations and territorial
integrity are not opposed, but compared. However, the NA President
expressed doubt that Azerbaijan really wants to see the conflict
settled, as the policy of deepening hatred towards Armenia and
Armenians, the warlike declarations and the astronomical increase
of military expenses continue there. According to the President of
the National Assembly, the international community has to be more
demanding towards fulfillment of undertaken obligations.
During the meeting issues of inter-parliamentary relations were
also discussed.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
