Nagorno Karabakh Rep de-facto existence must be fixed – official

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
January 1, 2007 Monday 03:15 PM EST

YEREVAN, January 1 — In his New Year address on Sunday, Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan said "the de-facto existence of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic and the right of the Karabakh people to free and
secure life must be fixed" as a result of settlement talks currently
in progress.

President Kocharyan noted that the position of the mostly Armenian
populated Azerbaijani enclave of Nagorno Karabakh was once again
demonstrated at the recent constitutional referendum.

Focusing on Armenia’s achievements in 2006, he said the year had been
"peaceful and productive for the country" which "continued a stable
development."

He said that owing to that, this year "the state budget will
sizably grow," and "salaries, pensions and benefits" will increase.
"Social programs aimed at improving the standards of living have been
outlined and will be implemented," the president stressed.

He said last year Armenia’s international integration had grown. As
for relations with Russia, last year was marked by the holding of the
Year of Armenia in Russia. The countries "had productive political
dialogue, their economic ties got a boost and a rich cultural program
was implemented".

He noted that last year a plan for Armenia’s actions within the
framework of EU’s European Neighbourhood Policy was approved. The
implementation of the Millennium Challenges program with the U.S.
government began last year.

Kocharyan said a gas pipeline from Iran to Armenia will soon be
launched. He also stressed that that Armenia and Iran have outlined
"a range of new important programs in the energy sphere".

"We are entering the new year with confidence in success and resolute
to continue reforms," Kocharyan stressed. He expressed confidence that
the parliamentary election of 2007 will be held "at a due level". "The
holding of free and fair elections must be priority for each of us,"
the president noted.