ALIEV AND OSKANIAN GAVE THE SAME ANSWER
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[06:23 pm] 20 February, 2007
On February 20, RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met with Frank
Walter Steinmeier, Foreign Minister of Germany.
"I have spoken twice to Ilham Aliev and Vartan Oskanian on the
Karabakh issue. I got the same answer from both of them; the document
is a perfect ground to settle the conflict", Frank Walter Steinmeier
announced today during the joint press conference with his Armenian
counterpart. He was so encouraged by the answer of the two sides
that said, "I hope that the Karabakh conflict will finally be settled
this year".
One of the German journalists tried to find out whether Vartan Oskanian
shared Mr. Steinmeier’s optimism. "I don’t deny I am cautious as
I have been engaged in the matter for 13 – 14 years and very often
we seemed to be on the point of reaching regulation but everything
changed in an instant."
Today’s packet inspires great expectations. The window will open
after the parliamentary elections and in case the sides display
corresponding stance we can observe serious progress this year",
Vartan Oskanian answered the German journalist.
RA journalists wondered what factors the interest of Germany towards
Armenia is determined by taking into consideration the fact that
Georgia tends to integrate NATO, Azerbaijan has energy whereas Armenia
is deprived of both of them.
"Germany is interested in none of them. We want to see stability
and economic development in the region. We hope that Armenia will
establish ties with Turkey as well, I mean the frontier opening. I
already see preconditions for it", said Mr. Steinmeier.
In comparison with the German FM, Vartan Oskanian sees no optimism
in the Armenian-Turkish relationship and reminded Mr. Steinmeier of
Armenia’s official stance, "Armenia is ready to discuss any question
with Turkey without any preconditions if the frontier is opened."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
