Armenian-EU relations

[MJ]

ROBERT KOCHARIAN TO DISCUSS QUESTIONS OF SECURITY IN SOUTH CAUCASUS WITH EU

LEADERSHIP

 

Mediamax

4 June 2001

 

YEREVAN

 

Armenia welcomes a more active cooperation in all directions between the

European Union and Southern Caucasian states, Armenian President Robert

Kocharian said today in the exclusive interview to Mediamax.

The visit of Kocharian to the Headquarters of the European Union in Brussels

starts Tuesday. During the visit the President will meet with EU, European

Commission and European Parliament top officials.

`We assume that the present development of European institutions should open

significant and promising possibilities both for Armenia and for Azerbaijan

and Georgia,' Robert Kocharian stressed.

In a rather complex region, where the interests of different countries have

clashed throughout the history, Armenia strives to establish equal, mutually

acceptable relations with the countries of the region and with all the

interested sides, the President said. According to him, Armenia doesn't try

to play on the disagreements of different states in this region, while seeks

an opportunity to smooth away these discords and find more common interests

and compromise solutions to the existing problems.

In response to the question of Mediamax - is the President going to discuss

in Brussels the perspectives of realization of his proposal about

establishment of regional security system with EU's participation, Robert

Kocharian said, `Specifically, the discussion of regional security system is

not among the plans of this visit. Nevertheless, in the context of other

questions of economic and political nature, we will also speak of problems of

regional security, about the role which the European community may play in

the establishment of stable and long term peace in the Caucasus'.

[MJ]

STABILITY IN SOUTH CAUCASUS BECOMES AN URGENT FACTOR FOR ENSURING OF SECURITY

AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHOLE EUROPE

 

Mediamax

4 June 2001

 

YEREVAN

 

'Stability and peace in this region become more urgent factors for the

ensuring of security and development of the whole Europe,' Armenian President

Robert Kocharian said today in the exclusive interview to Mediamax.

According to him, both the South Caucasian states and the European Union (EU)

strive to have closer mutual ties. With the expansion of European structures

to the East the mutual relations of the European Union and the countries of

the Black Sea region acquire special importance, Robert Kocharian noted.

'The fact that all the three countries of the South Caucasus are members of

the Council of Europe attests to their impartial interest in having closer

ties with European institutions,' Armenian president told Mediamax.

[MJ]

ARMENIA SEEKS ITS PLACE AND ROLE IN EUROPEAN ARCHITECTURE, KOCHARIAN SAID

 

Mediamax

4 June 2001

 

YEREVAN

 

President Robert Kocharian said today in the exclusive interview to Mediamax

that Armenia attaches great importance to the development of both the

bilateral ties with European countries and the cooperation with common

European structures.

Armenian President starts his visit to the headquarters of the European Union

(EU) in Brussels on Tuesday, during which he will hold meetings with the

leadership of EU, European Commission and Europarliament.

`In the context of European direction I would point out two important theses

that guide Armenia in its foreign policy. This is, first of all, the

realization of irreversibility of processes of European integration, and

secondly, Armenia's identification as a part of Europe, the search for its

place and role in European architecture,' Robert Kocharian said.

According to the president, `we take effective steps to establish closer ties

with European institutions, and for Armenia it is a natural process'. `Our

country has always associated itself with Europe, has felt a part of it. We

are linked by centuries-old historic and cultural ties, our principles and

aims, approaches to the development and strengthening of peace are

consonant,' President Kocharian said.

[MJ]

Armenpress: Political

5 June, 2001

 

 

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT IN BELGIUM WILL REAFFIRM ARMENIAN'S WILL TO INTEGRATE WITH

EUROPEAN STRUCTURES, SAID OSKANIAN

 

YEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS: The delegation led by the Armenian president Robert Kocharian left for Belgium today. The delegation includes the Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian, Trade and Industry minister Karen Chshmaritian, Energy minister Karen Galustian, the chairman of the parliament's commission of foreign relations Hovhannes Hovhannisian, the Armenian ambassador to

Belgium Vigen Chitechian and other officials.

Before the departure the Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian stating the importance of Kocharian's first official visit to Belgium said that it will support the relations between Armenia and European Union. According to Oskanian the relations between Armenia and Belgium, Armenia and European

Union and Armenia and NATO will be discussed during the visit.

The Foreign Minister also stated that the negotiations with EU will go in three directions: the first is general approaches, where the Armenian president will reaffirm Armenia's will to integrate with the European structures faster, the second is the existing programs between EU and

Armenia, which refer to the energy issues, information technologies and the volume of trade between Armenia and EU member countries, and the third political direction will mainly refer to the regional cooperation as well as Armenia-Turkey, Turkey-EU relations.

On June 7-8 at NATO headquarters the Armenian Defense Minister will participate in the works of NATO Council. According to the Defense Minister Armenia presents 30 programs one of which has already been realized. He also stated that Armenia's cooperation with NATO does not contradict the Armenia's cooperation with Russia, nor disturbs other relations.

The Chairman of parliament's commission of foreign relations Hovhannes Hovhannisian stated that the visit "will be a new step towards the relations between the Armenian Parliament and Europarliament as well as Armenia-EU relations".

 

On June 6 Robert Kocharian will have meetings with the Deputy Chairman of

European Parliament Mr. Imbeni and the Chairman of European Commission Mr. Prodi. On the same day at NATO Headquarters the meeting of the Armenian president with NATO Secretary General George Robertson will take place.

 

On June 7 Robert Kocharian will meet with the European Parliament Chairman

N.Fonten and then the meeting of the Armenian president with the Deputy

Prime-Minister and the Foreign minister of Belgium L.Mishel will take place at Egmon Palace, which will be followed by the signing of bilateral documents. Then at the Royal Palace Robert Kocharian will be received by the Crown prince of Belgian Kingdom Fillip.

 

On June 8 at the EU General Secretariat Kocharian will have a meeting with

the Secretary General of European Union Javier Solana and then he will visit

the Brussels' Mayor's office. Within the framework of the visit the president of Armenia will be present at the concert dedicated to the 1700th Anniversary of the Adoption of Christianity in Armenia held in Saint Mishell temple. He will also visit the

local Armenian church.

 

On June 9 the delegation led by the Armenian president will be back to Yerevan.