Category: News

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2004
CONTACT: David Zenian
E-mail: [email protected]
ASSEMBLY JOINS U.N. CONFERENCE ON MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly participated in a U.N. conference in
New York last week, co-sponsoring a special workshop that focused on
strategies to empower women from different cultures, including Armenia.
The workshop, within the framework of the 57th Annual U.N. Department of
Public Information and Non-Governmental Organizations (DPI/NGO), was
entitled “Empowering Women Worldwide: Implications for Gender Equity,” and
attended by more than 100 international NGO representatives.
Dr. Nicole Vartanian, one of the four panelists who was sponsored by the
Armenian Assembly, is a former U.S. Fulbright Scholar in Armenia, where she
taught and worked on issues relating to civic education and education
policy. She currently serves as a senior research associate at the U.S.
Department of Education.
Dr. Vartanian opened her presentation with a concise background on Armenia
and spoke about issues involving education trends, gender inequity in
Armenia’s labor force, Armenian NGO action to address some of the existing
difficulties.
She said the Armenian Assembly’s NGO office in Yerevan was closely involved
with a number of locally established NGOs in Armenia in working on gender
issues with the aim of promoting women’s participation in Armenia’s
political process, economic development, conflict resolution as well as
safeguarding women from domestic violence.
“I was very privileged to have this opportunity to bring issues facing women
in Armenia today to this important United Nations conference. The Assembly’s
U.N. and Armenia NGO offices play an important role in this process, and I
am proud to be part of the effort,” Ms. Vartanian said.
The Seminar was the latest in a string of similar U.N. forums on issues like
women in the media, eradication of poverty and women’s role and behavior in
the aftermath of earthquakes in which the Assembly has actively
participated.
“With the Assembly’s active and continued participation in these United
Nations forums, we are promoting Armenia’s priorities. These initiatives are
also of great importance and interest to the Armenian-American community at
large,” Assembly Executive Director Ross Vartian said.
The Assembly recently expanded its representation at the United Nations as a
non-government organization in a Special Consultative Status with the UN’s
Economic and Social Affairs Council (ECOSOC). Zara Ingilizian, Christina
Lehmejian-Karaszewski and Meldia Yesayan have joined Diane Paravazian as
Assembly representatives on a volunteer basis. Research & Information
Associate Emil Sanamyan serves as the Assembly’s primary representative to
the U.N., providing overall program direction.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
NR#2004-085

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
CONGRESSMAN SMITH JOINS ARMENIAN CAUCUS
Seattle, WA – At the urging of Armenian Assembly activists, Congressman
Adam Smith (D-WA) on September 13 joined the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues, bringing the total Caucus membership to 140.
Smith, who announced his decision during an Assembly-led meeting in
Tacoma, WA, will become the second lawmaker from the state to serve
on the Caucus.
“I enjoyed our conversation and the opportunity to meet with some
of the various members of the local Armenian community,” said
Smith, who serves on the House International Relations Committee.
“The information you shared was very useful and I look forward to
the opportunity to learn more about the issues affecting this part
of the world.”
Assembly Western Office Chairman Richard Mushegain said he welcomes
Smith’s membership to the Caucus and commended activists for raising
the issue with him as well and others.
“Assembly activists, in meetings across the country, have successfully
utilized the congressional summer recess to articulate the community’s
concerns and encourage membership to the Armenian Caucus,” said
Mushegain. “We look forward to working with Congressman Smith and
his colleagues in securing trade benefits and U.S. assistance that
are so critical to Armenia and Nagorno Karbakh’s ongoing development.”
The district meeting, led by Western Office Director Lena Kaimian,
included Reverend Father Yeghia Isayan of the Armenian Apostolic
Church-Seattle, Affiliate Zareh Kevorkian and activists Razmik
Keutelian and Sonya Tanielian. Later that day, the group also met
with Congressman Norman Dicks’ (D-WA) District Director Tom Luce.
Talks centered on U.S. aid to Armenia, the Azeri war rhetoric and the
U.S.-Armenia trade bill. Through Luce, activists also urged Dicks to
join the Armenian Caucus.
Prior to the congressional meetings, Assembly Board of Directors
Member Lisa Kalustian joined Kaimian for a community briefing at the
Armenian Apostolic Church-Seattle. Kalustian and Kaimian discussed the
Assembly’s legislative agenda, providing a status report on the Foreign
Operations bill as well as the trade measure. Kaimian also discussed
the Assembly’s Washington and Yerevan internship programs, explaining
the opportunities available for college students of Armenian descent.
“The Assembly extends it thanks to Church officials for providing
a venue for our event,” said Kalustian. “We also thank community
members for their participation and interest in the Assembly.”
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
NR#2004-084
Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:
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Caption: (L to R) Reverend Father Yeghia Isayan of the Armenian
Apostolic Church-Seattle, Assembly Affiliate Member Zareh Kevorkian,
Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA), activists Sonya Tanielian and Razmik
Keutelian and Assembly Western Office Director Lena Kaimian in Tacoma,
WA on September 13.

Poll Finds Public Distrust In Armenian Anti-Graft Plan
By Armen Zakarian 17/09/2004 10:26
Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
September 17 2004
Armenians remain overwhelmingly skeptical about the success of their
government’s declared fight against corruption with almost half of
them believing that it itself is the biggest obstacle to the rule of
law, according to a new poll made public on Thursday.
The survey conducted by the Armenian Center for National and
International Studies (ACNIS), a private think-tank, shows that nearly
two thirds of about 2,000 people interviewed across the country
are not familiar with an anti-corruption strategy unveiled by the
authorities last year. Only 5 percent of them are confident that it
will be successfully implemented, ACNIS pollsters said. Forty-nine
percent said they would subscribe to the view that “a corrupt regime
can not fight against itself.” Others attributed the perceived lack
of results in the stated anti-graft crusade to government incompetence
and pervasive influence of business “oligarchs.”
The authorities’ anti-corruption plan approved by Western donors
is a set of largely legislative measures designed to curb illegal
practices such as bribery and nepotism. A special body headed by Prime
Minister Andranik Markarian was formed earlier this year to oversee
its implementation. The Council on Combating Corruption in turn set
up a “monitoring commission.”
The success of the council’s stated mission was called into question
in June by a senior representative of the Berlin-based watchdog
Transparency International. He said the body is likely to be
ineffectual because it is not independent.
According to the ACNIS survey, the most common popular perception
of the problem’s root causes is a political one, with 42.8 percent
saying that Armenia’s rulers lack legitimacy because they did not
come to power as a result of democratic elections. “In a country
that has disputed elections many people agree that the government
gives privileges and other rewards to those who helped them come to
power,” Stepan Safarian, a leading ACNIS analyst, told journalists,
presenting the survey results.
More than a third of those polled said they were offered bribes in
return for voting for particular candidates in last year’s presidential
and parliamentary elections. Most claimed to have refused to accept
the illegal payments.
Votes bribes are one the most frequent forms of Armenia’s chronic
electoral fraud which marred the 2003 elections criticized as
undemocratic by international observers.
The poll also suggests that nearly half of Armenians bribe government
officials at least once a year. The bulk of those who admitted doing
so said their kickbacks were meant to ensure fair and lawful treatment
by government bodies. Health care institutions, the judiciary and
the military were singled out by most respondents as the most corrupt
structures in Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EU: European Commission President Talks To RFE/RL On Relations With South Caucasus
By Ahto Lobjakas 17/09/2004 10:42
Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
September 17 2004
The president of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, today begins
a tour of the South Caucasus. In an interview with RFE/RL, Prodi says
he will travel to the three capitals offering closer ties and aid —
but no membership perspective.
Prodi also rules out direct EU involvement in managing the region’s
conflicts, although he indicates the bloc is leaning on Russia to
play a constructive role. RFE/RL spoke with Prodi on the eve of his
departure. Brussels, 16 September 2004 (RFE/RL) — All three South
Caucasus capitals in recent months have asked the EU a simple question
— is the bloc’s door still open?
EU leaders are struggling to find a simple answer.
The official policy — Prodi told RFE/RL this week — is to avoid
talk of doors altogether.
He has a clear message to Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia that might
be paraphrased as “do not look a gift horse in the mouth.”
Instead of focusing on membership, he says, the three should take
advantage of what the EU is already offering — including a special
“neighborhood” policy that could pave the way for more investment
and economic opportunity.
“We must give [the three South Caucasus countries] this message:
‘Europe is a big market. In the future, when you’re building your
economy, you can export to Europe — and indeed not only energy.
Europe is [also] a big investor. It is enormous…the biggest economic
[actor] in the world and [it] is not far from the three countries.’ So,
we are ready to invest. We must prepare a climate in the three
countries. And then in our aid we always help to build infrastructure
linking the three countries or helping [train] customs officials to
facilitate trade and the movement of people, etc.,” Prodi said.
Concerning eventual EU membership, Prodi says this is not possible as
long as the borders of Europe remain unclear. Prodi acknowledges the
EU’s basic treaties promise membership to all “European” countries.
But, he says, Europe’s borders are not fixed and change with time.
He adds that now — just after the EU has added some 10 new members —
is a bad time to fix the borders. He says the European public must
be sent a message that Europe is not enlarging every day.
“But this does not mean that these three countries do not belong to
Europe. They don’t belong now, and it is not planned that they belong
in the ‘European Europe.’ But the doctrine of the neighborhood policy
that we worked on so long and so deeply is [there] to build links of
friendship and cooperation, strong links with countries, which for
the foreseeable are not members of the [European] Union,” Prodi said.
Prodi does not exclude the possibility that the border of Europe may
in 2015 run between Turkey on the one hand and Georgia and Armenia
on the other. He hastens to caution that the EU has yet to decide
whether to open accession talks with Turkey — the commission is due
to make its recommendation on 6 October. But he points out that once
talks begin, they do so “with the perspective of closing them.”
Prodi also directs his comments to Russia. He says Russia is a key
partner and an important player when it comes to the future of the
South Caucasus.
He avoids comment on recent Russian statements indicating the
possibility of pre-emptive strikes on terrorist targets outside its
own borders. But he does say that Russia, in his opinion, is not
interested in destabilizing the region.
“I think that now Russia is interested in promoting stability and
security in the area. This is what I think, and I know that the
Russians are wise, they have no interest to enlarge any conflict,”
Prodi said.
Prodi suggests that the EU — as a “strong, independent” friend of
Russia — can help in resolving what he calls the “frozen conflicts”
of the South Caucasus. But he rules out any EU military presence in
the region, at least for the time being.
Prodi says force is not an option for any of the problems of any of
the three countries. This is particularly true of Georgia and its
troubles with North Ossetia and Abkhazia. Prodi refuses to directly
indicate whether Tbilisi’s use of massive force would jeopardize its
blossoming ties with the EU.
He also observes that Georgia has in recent history used “intelligent
force” — this is a veiled reference to the largely peacefully resolved
conflict with Adjara.
Prodi says the EU engages in no favoritism among the three countries,
although Georgia is, so far, alone among the three to have benefited
from an international donors’ conference which netted a many million
dollar windfall.
Prodi promises the EU will be an “honest broker” among the three
countries.
“Globally, Georgia receives more money. But if you analyze European
policy, it has been very honest between the three countries. I am
not happy that the amount of resources has not been enough for the
terribly big needs of the countries, but I want to have a balanced
strategy,” Prodi said.
He says no donor conferences are planned for Armenia or Azerbaijan
at this stage.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Police seek public’s aid in finding missing man
By Daily News
Los Angeles Daily News, CA
September 17 2004
GLENDALE — Detectives on Thursday were seeking the public’s help
in locating Grigor “Vrej” Adamyan for questioning in the 2003
disappearance of 33-year-old Martin Pogosian.
Pogosian, a medical clinic manager, was last seen in Los Angeles
on Jan. 23, 2003, at 3:30 p.m. after leaving a business meeting
in Glendale.
“He was in a dispute over the telephone and went downtown to handle
that,” said Sgt. Steven Davey of the Glendale Police Department. “He
was missing after that.”
Police believe Adamyan had some sort of dealings with the victim.
Pogosian’s family had last talked to him by cell phone Jan. 24, 2003,
a few hours before a large kidnap-ransom request was delivered to an
unknown Armenian in Los Angeles. The family has helped police identify
business associates and friends. He is described as a family man who
always was in contact with his family.
The Glendale Police Department’s Special Investigation Unit has
developed new leads in the case and is asking for the community’s help.
Anyone with information is asked to call Davey at (818) 548-6485.

Glendale News Press
LATimes.com
September 17 2004
Officials seek help in finding man
Police look for help in disappearance of man who was last seen more
than a year ago in Glendale.
By Jackson Bell, News-Press
NORTHEAST GLENDALE – Glendale investigators are asking the public to
help find Grigor “Vrej” Adamyan, a man they believe could help them
track down a missing Downey man who was last seen in Glendale more
than a year ago.
A few months ago, police received additional leads in the long-running
investigation of Martin Pogosian’s disappearance that pointed them
toward Adamyan, Sgt. Steve Davey said, adding that Adamyan, who is
a 52-year-old male of average height and weight, is believed to have
business ties to Pogosian.
“We’ve got new information that Adamyan has some knowledge of either
where [Pogosian] is or what happened to him,” Davey said, adding that
he could not release details because the investigation is ongoing.
Pogosian, a manager of a medical clinic in Los Angeles, was last seen
Jan. 23, 2003, leaving a business meeting at a strip mall in the
1200 block of South Glendale Avenue. He had a dispute while on the
phone and then drove to downtown Los Angeles, where he disappeared,
Davey said. At the time, Pogosian was 33.
Pogosian’s family spoke with him by cellphone the next day, a few
hours before a “large” kidnap ransom was delivered to an unknown
Armenian man in Los Angeles, police said.
On Jan. 31, Pogosian’s white 2001 Range Rover was found near Andover
Drive and Glenoaks Boulevard in Burbank.
“Foul play might be a possibility, but we don’t know,” Davey said.
“He could possibly be dead.”
Glendale Police is part of a multi-agency taskforce investigating the
case. Other agencies include the Los Angeles Police and Los Angeles
County Sheriff’s departments, and the FBI.
Pogosian is Armenian; is 5-feet-9; weighs 180 pounds; and has brown
hair and eyes.
Anyone who has information can call Glendale Police at 548-4840.
Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at 507-7867.

Glendale News Press
LATimes.com
September 17 2004
Trends emerging in election results
Two days after residential and retail project is approved, voting
patterns start to develop.
By Robert Chacon, News-Press
GLENDALE — Both sides in the campaign to bring the $264.2-million
Americana at Brand project to Glendale are still analyzing the
numbers, but at least one councilman thinks it came down to
homeowners versus renters.
What is certain is that during Tuesday’s election for measures A, B
and C, about 29,500 city residents showed up at the polls, which,
according to Councilman Dave Weaver, is roughly 36% of the city’s
registered voters. That’s the highest turnout Weaver can remember.
A vast majority of people in southern Glendale, below Colorado Street
— an area with the densest population of renters — voted against the
project. When you start to look at single-family homes and the north
area of the city you’ll see that a majority of them supported the
Americana at Brand, Weaver said.
“I think that after the numbers are counted, it will become obvious
that the campaign was renters versus homeowners,” Weaver said.
Voters in precincts closest to the project’s location across from the
Glendale Galleria opposed it. Concerns about parking and traffic
around the outdoor mall once it is built were raised throughout the
intense campaign waged by developer Rick Caruso and General Growth,
owners of the Glendale Galleria.
A majority of voters in 22 precincts favored the project, and a
majority of voters in 18 precincts opposed it. Most precincts showed
close races, but some had lopsided margins. In those precincts where
voters overwhelmingly supported the project, those margins were much
higher than the ones in precincts where a high majority of voters
opposed the Americana.
Overall, the three measures that reinforced the project won approval
from the residents with an rate hovering near 51%.
Linda Berman, vice president of corporate communications and brand
strategy for Caruso, said that she would not comment on the results
of the election until a more detailed analysis is completed, which
could come in the next two weeks.
“We will want to know where we were strong and where we weren’t. We
know that we had a majority of the support but we want to know where
it came from and who got out and voted,” she said.
General Growth officials did not return phone calls seeking comment.
Poll numbers also revealed that the city’s Armenian-American
population voted in favor of the project, Mayor Bob Yousefian said.
“Based on the numbers we have so far, on election day about 60% of
the Armenian population voted for the project,” he said.
From: Baghdasarian

NATO training dropped after Baku refuses Armenian participation
messenger.com.ge, Georgia
September 17 2004
Azeri newspapers this week reported NATO’s decision to cancel the
“Cooperative Best Effort-2004” training, which was planned to be
held from September 13 to 26 in Baku. This followed the refusal of
the Azerbaijani authorities to allow Armenian soldiers to enter the
country to participate in the training.
Azerbaijani newspaper Ekho reported that, according to the Azeri
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mamediarov, Baku had been conducting
negotiations with Brussels in order not to allow the participation
of Armenian soldiers in the NATO training. In response, according to
Azerbaijani newspaper Express, Deputy Commander of American Armed
Forces in Europe General Charles Wald had visited Baku three times
in five months, in order to assure the authorities of Azerbaijan
of the importance of the participation of Armenian soldiers in the
training; although the Armenian newspaper AZG Armenian Daily stated
that this was a secondary reason for his frequent visits, his main
goal being to negotiate the establishment of American military bases
on Azerbaijani territory.
Ekho reported that starting from September 11, activists of
“Organization for the Release of Karabakh” (ORK), together with
influential political forces of the country and public organizations,
were planning to start mass demonstrations against the arrival of
Armenian officers in Baku. Deputy Chair of ORK Shamil Mekhti told the
newspaper that he had not been informed where the Armenian officers
were going to spend the night.
Zerkalo, Baku reported that NATO was unhappy with the Azeri
authorities’ stance. The training was to take place within the
framework of the ‘Partnership in the name of peace’ program, which
is based on the principle of parity.
“We regret very much regarding the fact that the principle of parity
has been violated at this time and has become the reason of the
annulment of the training,” the official NATO web site notes. The
newspaper quoted Head of the Armenian Ministry of Defense’s department
of external relations and international cooperation Mikael Melkonian
as saying that, particularly after training had already been held
in Georgia and Armenia, the Azeri authorities’ hindrance should be
taken into consideration by NATO.

Canada Free Press, Canada
September 17 2004
Exclusive
A Position John Kerry Has Held for 20 Years
by Marinka Peschmann, Special to Canada Free Press
What do Canada, France, the Vatican and Presidential hopeful John
Kerry have in common? Armenian Genocide. “Between 1915-1923 the
rulers of the old Ottoman Empire killed or deported over 1.5 million
Armenian men, women and children in a systematic policy of ethnic
extermination.” John Kerry — April 22, 2004. In August 2004, Kerry
pledged, “as President, I will continue to fight against the denial
of the Armenian Genocide.” But under both Democratic and Republic
administrations, President Reagan, President Bush, Sr., and President
Clinton, the Armenian Genocide resolution didn’t pass both houses.
Canada’s Armenian Genocide resolution passed on April 21, 2004, “and
condemn this act as a crime against humanity.” Prime Minister Paul
Martin and Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham stated that the
resolution does not represent the Canadian government’s position. On
January 29, 2001, “France publicly recognizes the Armenian Genocide
of 1915.” Pope John Paul II’s September 27, 2001, declaration read in
part, “The extermination of a million and a half Armenian Christians,
in what is generally referred to as the first genocide of the
twentieth century…” And accused flip-flopper, Senator Kerry, is
cosponsoring the latest Genocide Resolution, S.Res.164″ and has been
“resolute” and “steadfast for 20 years” on this issue.
In 1990, Kerry voted in favor of Republican Senator Bob Dole’s
Genocide Resolution. Democratic Senator Robert Byrd gave notice that
he would filibuster and succeeded in stopping its passage. Kerry
cosponsored legislation, “S.1557, granting Armenia permanent normal
trade relations status” and champions initiatives to “lift the
Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades,” including last January, when he
called on President Bush to press Turkey’s Prime Minister “to lift
his nation’s illegal blockade of Armenia.” , a position that
President Bush already held and enforced early on in his
administration. Bush, like Clinton, commemorates April 24th, Armenian
Remembrance day. Armenia shares borders with Turkey and Iran. “There
are individuals on both sides who are obstacles and supporters,” says
Aram Sarafian of The National Organization of Republican Armenians,
“in time – it will pass. It’s an eventuality. Every year it gets
closer.”
This highly charged “moral” issue within the Armenian community has
been a global hot button issue for decades. Do the ramifications of
acknowledging “genocide” and passing a U.S. “genocide resolution”
reach wider on the World stage, affecting U.S. National Security
interests and stability in the region? Some argue “no,” suggesting
that claim is overblown, “Turkey needs the U.S. more than the U.S.
needs Turkey.” Others claim “it’s purely lobbying.” The
American-Armenian groups first gathered politically in the 1970s and
have grown more powerful and effective during the 1990s.
Turkey, a member of NATO, rebuffs Armenia’s genocide allegations,
claiming the death toll is lower and both the Turks and Armenians
suffered causalities when the Ottoman Empire collapsed before
Modern-day Turkey was created in 1923. Currently seeking European
Union (EU) membership Turkey must first implement human rights
reforms and halt the “Continued torture and maltreatment of
prisoners… widespread abuse of women, and restrictions on free
expression.” Belgium is calling for an Armenia Genocide inclusion.
Britain, the USA and Germany support Turkey’s EU bid. This December,
a date is to be scheduled for Turkey’s EU application.
On October 19, 2000, Republican House Speaker Dennis Haster pulled
the latest Genocide resolution, citing a letter written by President
Clinton, who wrote, “We have significant interests in this troubled
region of the world:” Violence between Israelis and Palestinians had
escalated, the bombing of the USS Cole sharpened conflict in the
Middle East and the continuation of U.S. forces using South Turkey’s
Incirlik air base to maintain Saddam Hussein’s containment was in
jeopardy. “Consideration of the resolution at this sensitive time
will negatively affect those interests and could undermine efforts to
encourage improved relations between Armenia and Turkey.”
On January 28, 2004, New York Life Insurance Co., reached a $20
million class action settlement negotiated in part on behalf of the
Armenian-American plaintiff’s by, double-murder accused Scott
Peterson’s, famed attorney, Mark Geragos. New York Life will pay “to
resolve more than 2,000 insurance policies issued to Armenians in the
Turkish Ottoman Empire prior to 1915… and contribute at least $3
million to Armenian civic organizations.”
In Los Angeles on August 31, 2004, a class action lawsuit was filed
on behalf of Armenians against two German banks, Deutsche Bank and
Dresdner Bank who: “1) made deposits, 2) were killed in the Armenian
Genocide and 3) whose heirs were not repaid deposits on their
accounts.
Anthony Barsamiain, Chairman of the Armenian Assembly of America is
committed to seeing the resolution passed. “There will be a date soon
when the President and the Congress regardless of party reaffirms the
Armenian Genocide,” said Barsamiaian, “and in turn will bring to
light the truth of the American response.”
If elected would Kerry honor his pledge or repeat history? “I think
he”s gone so far,” says Barsamian, “and has such a record that I
don’t think he could.” A high level Kerry official confirmed that
Kerry is “solid” on passing the Armenia Genocide resolution. When
pressed on specifics the official acknowledged, “That’s a tough one”.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 17 2004
PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVED EC DELEGATION HEADED BY
ROMANO PRODI
[September 17, 2004, 18:54:16]
President of the Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev received at the
President Palace the delegation led by President of the European
Commission Romano Prodi, on September 17.
Greeting the guest, head of Azerbaijan state recalled his meeting
with Mr. Romano Prodi in Belgium telling it was very useful. The
Azerbaijan-European Union relations develop successfully, President
of Azerbaijan underlined. “Our country attaches great importance to
development of these relations”, he said. President Ilham Aliyev state
that the relations with the European Union are one of the priorities
of our state policy and we reach new accomplishments in this field,
he added.
Noting that the “New Policy of Neighborhood” is very important,
President Ilham Aliyev underlined that this policy is one of the
priorities in the relations of Azerbaijan and European Union. Head of
Azerbaijan stated that appointment of the European Union representative
on South Caucasus serves development of these relations.
Stating that cooperation in political, economic, cultural and other
fields between Azerbaijan and European Union develops successfully,
president Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence for strengthening of
these ties. Azerbaijan is an integral part of Europe and integration
to European structures is priority of our foreign policy, head of
Azerbaijan state emphasized.
Noting that there is successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and
European Union in the field of economy, in particular, in the power
field, President Ilham Aliyev said that there is a high level dialogue
in the political field.
Head of Azerbaijani state expressed confidence that the visit of Mr.
Romano Prodi to Azerbaijan would greatly promote the development and
strengthening of the bilateral relations.
Expressing gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for warm reception,
Mr. Prodi said that he was pleased with the visit. Noting that
cooperation in the political, economic and other fields is integral
part of the new policy of neighborhood he noted that realization
of this policy is of great significance from the viewpoint of
strengthening of cooperation and solution of the facing problems.
“There are important tasks before the European Union for implementation
of this policy and the EU holds fair position in regard with the
policy of neighborhood”, he said.
Mr. Romano Prodi said that quick resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorny Karabakh conflict is necessary for successful realization
of the New Policy of Neighborhood. “The European Union with its 500
million population pays great importance on expansion of cooperation
between the EU and Azerbaijan that plays is significant role in the
region”, he stressed. He expressed confidence that these relations
would develop further.
Head of the PA foreign relations department Novruz Mammadov and the
representative of Azerbaijan in European Union Arif Mammadov took
part at the reception.