MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF POLAND IN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
National Assembly of RA, Armenia
Feb 27 2007
On February 26 Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National Assembly
of the Republic of Armenia, received the delegation headed by Mrs. Anna
Fotyga, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland. At the meeting the
two ambassadors of both countries, Mr. Tomasz Knothe, Ambassador of
Poland to Armenia and Ashot Galoyan, Ambassador of Armenia to Poland,
were present.
Welcoming Mrs. Fotyga in the National Assembly, Mr. Torosyan expressed
his satisfaction in the development of Polish-Armenian friendly
relations and noted that Armenia and Poland have common features:
both countries are member of the Council of Europe, relations
are well developing with the European Union, to which Poland is
a member. Mr. Torosyan considered Mrs. Fotyga’s visit symbolic, as
February 26 is the day of the establishment of 15 years of diplomatic
relations between two countries. The President of the Parliament
noted that he is aware of Ms. Fotyga’s speeches, and it’s good that
the friends are interested in the issues of the region and Armenia.
Mrs. Anna Fotyga, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland highly
evaluating the bilateral relations and the current relations in
international organizations, noted that a memorandum on Cooperation
in the issues concerning European integration in 2007-2008 between
the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and
the Republic of Poland has been signed with Mr. Vardan Oskanyan,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, as a result of which the
Polish-Armenian relations will deepen. Ms. Fotyga expressed readiness
for the exchange of experience, noting that the experience includes
also mistakes, and their study will help not to repeat them. She
highlighted the European Union Action Plan, noting that there are
sufficient legal-contractual grounds to deepen cooperation. As to
the Minister, as an Eastern European country Poland’s aim is to
achieve balance in the framework of the European Union Neighbourhood
programme. She expressed readiness to promote the establishment of
Turkish-Armenian relations, if the both sides express such a wish.
Upon her request Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President of the National
Assembly informed about his observations on the regional issues
and the Nagorno Karabakh issue. Mr. Tigran Torosyan emphasized
the signing of the memorandum and the use of Poland’s educative
experience. It was noted that by adopting constitutional amendments by
a referendum, Armenia has a Constitution in compliance with European
standards and has launched the third phase of the Euro-integration
processes. Touching upon the Turkish-Armenian relations Mr. Torosyan
highly evaluating Poland’s aspiration to support the regulation
of relations and expressing his hope for the mission success,
noted that Armenia, being unconditionally for the settlement of the
regional issues and for cooperation, has repeatedly announced that
it is ready for the establishment of diplomatic relations without
any preconditions. Meanwhile the Turkish side finds it as a sign of
weakness and offers preconditions. One of the principles is connected
with the Nagorno Karabakh issue, and it’s not only inadmissible but
also shows that Turkey, member of the Council of Europe, that strives
for decades to join the European Union, not only does not want to have
diplomatic relations with its neighbour, but also keeps its borders
closed, which does not comply with any European principle and value.
In connection with Nagorno Karabkh issue Mr. Tigran Torosyan, President
of the National Assembly, referred to the position allegedly ascribed
to Mrs. Fotyga by the Azerbaijani Trend agency that she is allegedly
for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and giving a broad
autonomy to national minorities. Mr. Torosyan reminded that there
is a second principle, that was adopted in the Helsinki Final Act:
the right to self-determination, and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs
comparing those principles, found the key for the settlement of the
issue. In the negotiations for the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh
issue Mr. Torosyan emphasized that approach, noting that in reality the
country wishing to settle an issue should prepare its society for the
settlement, but not to be engaged in deepening hatred and animosity,
as does Azerbaijan, periodically threatening to restart the war.
Mrs. Fotyga clarified that her words were misinterpreted which is not
the first case in her political career, and that she fully believes
in the OSCE Minsk Group activity and hopes that the solution will be
found. And in connection with Armenian-Turkish relations she noted
that Poland has historically good relations with both countries, and
is ready to contribute to the establishment of those relations. She
hopes that as a result of Turkey-European Union negotiations democratic
reforms will take place in Turkey.
During the meeting other issues were discussed too.