PanArmenian News
March 11 2005
EU NOT RIVAL TO OSCE MINSK GROUP, ARMENIAN FM CONSIDERS
11.03.2005 06:30
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The European Union is not a rival to the OSCE Minsk
Group, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian said when commenting
of the statement by First Counselor of the Delegation of the European
Commission for Georgia and Armenia Jacques Vantomme, who said that
with the joining of the South Caucasian states to the EU: Wider
Europe, New Neighbors program the EU will assume the responsibility
for the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. According to
Vardan Oskanian, many international organizations including those on
which Armenia and Azerbaijan serve are manifesting interest in the
conflict resolution. However the settlement of the Karabakh problem
should be achieved within the frames of the OSCE Minsk Group while
the others should watch the process being ready to render assistance,
the RA FM added. At the same time Vardan Oskanian found it natural
that the EU report on Armenia contains the phrase “occupied
territories”, as this wording has been already used in the documents
prepared by other international organizations. “However it does not
mean that we agree with such a wording”, Mr. Oskanian stressed.
Besides, in the Minister’s words, one should not conclude that
“Armenia is an aggressor”. In his opinion, the EU report on Armenia
is representing Armenia-EU relations. “With a thorough examination
the report prompts the directions of cooperation. It also records of
the fields where Armenia has fallen behind. Thus, it would be correct
to make them priority issues”, Vardan Oskanian noted adding that
either he or his deputy are to pay a call to Brussels.