EC SECRETARY GENERAL: SPEECHES OF HATRED AND VIOLENCE ARE A THREAT TO EUROPE

15:34, 17 April, 2013

YEREVAN, APRIL 17, ARMENPRESS: The security of Europe is threatened
not by the outside but the internal reasons. This was stated by
the Secretary General of the European Council Thorbjørn Jagland at
the joint press conference held with the Acting Minister of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Eduard Nalbandyan on April 17.

“From my point of view, the security of Europe is threatened not
by the outside but by many member countries, as there is not any
confidence towards their political institutes. Corruption is the main
reason for that. We have the so-called tax “paradises”, where the
tax payers and money laundry are concealed”, – said the Secretary
General of the European Council Thorbjørn Jagland, adding that much
efforts were made in those directions, according to Armenpress.

According to Thorbjørn Jagland, one of the main challenges of Europe
was money laundry, international crimes and trafficking. “These
issues are of real threat and they damage the belief of the people
towards the political institutes”, – stated the Secretary General of
the European Council.

Among the challenges threatening Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland highlighted
the minority issues, hatred and violence. “These issues will be
of prior consideration during the Armenia’s presidency as well”, –
stated the Secretary General of the European Council Thorbjørn Jagland.

The Secretary General of the European Council Thorbjørn Jagland arrived
in Armenia on April 16-18 by the invitation of the Acting Minister of
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Eduard Nalbandyan. During
the visit the EC Secretary General will be hosted by the President
of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and His Holliness, the
Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin B.

Armenia has become the full-pledged member of the European Council on
January 25 2001. Armenia’s EC membership process had begun since 1995.

On January 26 1996 the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia was
granted a status of special invitee at the EC Parliamentary Summit. On
November 9 2000 Armenia got the offer to become a member of the
European Council. On May 16 2013 Armenia will assume the EC presidency.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress