RA NA SPEAKER ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO STARTING EU NEW NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 19 2006
YEREVAN, APRIL 19, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA National
Assembly Speaker Artur Baghdasarian attached importance to extension
of EU-Armenia relations and deepening of democracy in Armenia
at the April 19 meeting with the participants of the 8th sitting
of EU-Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. He expressed
the hope that during the 8th sitting of EU-Armenia cooperation the
participants had an opportunity to form a proper idea and to receive
sufficient information. Artur Baghdasarian attached importance to
starting and realizing the EU New Neighborhood program as quickly as
possible not only for Armenia but also for the region as extension
of democracy opens new prospects and promotes peace, it is an
essential stimulus for implementation of reforms. NA Speaker said
that a draft Electoral Code was worked out by the consent of the
political forces and the legislative bases for holding elections in
correspondence with the democratic standards are being created. NA
Speaker also touched upon energy issues mentioning that Armenia
needs EU’s assistance for energy diversification and provision
of energy security is a political priority for Armenia. Fighting
corruption, implementation of court and legal, tax and customs,
local self-government and territorial government reforms were also
mentioned as important. Artur Baghdasarian attached importance
to the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict through mutual
concessions and considered Azerbaijan’s bellicose statements to be
unacceptable. It was mentioned that Armenia is for normal relations
with Turkey and is ready to discuss the current problems around the
negotiations table. Co-chairwoman of EU-Armenia Cooperation Committee
Marie-Anne Isler Beguin expressed satisfaction with the Committee’s
efficient work. She mentioned that the European structures are
ready to assist Armenia in deepening democracy. Marie-Anne Beguin
attached importance to loyalty to democratic values in the coming
elections and mentioned that these elections will be important for
Armenia’s future. She also attached importance to mass media’s role
and provision of possibilities of their free work. In connection with
the Nagorno Karabakh settlement Mrs Beguin said that she would very
much like the Azeris also to adopt a constructive position.