Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan completes working visit to Belgium

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has completed his working visit to Belgium.

According to PanARMENIAN.Net correspondent’s earlier reports from Brussels, during his visit Armenian leader had meetings with EU and NATO officials.

At the joint news conference with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, RA President emphasized the importance of Armenia’s participation in Alliance peacemaking missions.

As the President also noted, suspension of ratification did not stop Turkey from attempting to fail rapprochement process, having realized Armenia will never allow Ankara’s interference in Karabakh conflict settlement issue.

NATO Secretary General stressed OSCE MG should be the only institution responsible for Karabakh conflict settlement issues.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso reiterated support to development of democracy in Armenia during a meeting with RA President Serzh Sargsyan.

“We are willing to improve bilateral relations, including financial and technical assistance to the reform process. Positive results of our cooperation prompted decision to open talks on conclusion of an association agreement with Armenia,” Mr. Barroso said. “The European Commission is ready to open talks as soon as next July, featuring formation of a free trade zone, improvement of business environment and creation of job opportunities.”

Visa regime relaxation was also in the focus of discussions.

Referring to regional developments, Mr. Barroso voiced support to Armenian-Turkish rapprochement and called on both countries to continue the dialogue without preconditions.

Commenting on the Karabakh process, he said, “The European Union developed a program to build confidence between the nations and I am hopeful that the Armenian President will support it.”

President Sargsyan said for his part that Armenia highlights relations with the European Union and welcomed the decision to open talks on association agreement, what will bring the relationship to a new level. “I thank the European Commission for its contribution to reform process in Armenia,” he said.

As to regional problems, the Armenian President emphasized that some countries are just gambling on the format of talks. “We believe that re-engagement of NKR in the negotiation process will considerably help the talks. The May 23 parliamentary election in the republic showed that people of Karabakh succeeded in building a democratic state,” he said, adding that interference of third countries, specifically Turkey, is inadmissible.

“Openly supporting Azerbaijan, Turkey diminishes its constructive role in the region,” President Sargsyan concluded.

RA President Serzh Sargsyan met in Brussels with EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn to discuss development of Armenia-EU economic cooperation and issues related to a comprehensive agreement on free trade zone creation.

President Sargsyan stated that Armenia is willing to carry out the essential reforms to bring its economy in line with European standards.

“Armenia is ready for market relations,” he said.

European Union's President Herman Van Rompuy confirmed the EU’s “strategic interest in stability, prosperity and development of democracy in our eastern neighborhood.”

“The Eastern Partnership is a powerful vehicle for bringing the countries involved closer to the EU and each other,” he said after a meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. “The EU-Armenia relations are strengthening, the negotiations directed for ambitious association agreement have been adopted by the EU. We are looking forward to start negotiations shortly, including a deep and comprehensive free trade area. This will facilitate EU investments in Armenia and allow Armenian business better access to the EU internal market.”

“We hope to move forward for visa facilitation and readmission issues as well as soon as possible. I emphasized our hope that our strengthening of relation with Armenia is going to stimulus to Armenia to deliver more on democratic reforms. Upcoming negotiation for the future association agreement will create addition leverage for internal reform and make available EU financial and technical support. We encourage Armenia to make full use of this opportunity to advance its reform agenda,” Mr. Van Rompuy said.

Touching on the Karabakh process, he said, “I confirmed the EU’s commitment to peace and security in the Caucasus through contributing to the resolution of the protracted conflict. The region will not be safe until this conflict is resolved by peaceful means and on the basis of principles of international law.”

He also said that the EU continues to support the Armenian-Turkish normalization process within a reasonable time frame and without preconditions.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan also met with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission Catherine Ashton.

Armenian Leader visited Brussels-based Villa Empain center based by Boghossian Foundation.

“In early 20th century, the Ottoman authorities failed to understand how “aliens” managed to learn languages, build culture and develop book printing, become a bridge between the East and West. Unable to understand this, they found a simple solution: “no Armenians, no problems.” Armenians, who survived the Genocide perpetrated by the Young Turk government, settled in various Christian and Muslim countries and we are grateful to all those who gave them a shelter,” Serzh Sargsyan said in his speech in Villa Empain center.

“We, Armenians, realize the importance of tolerance, religion, language and culture. That is why we stand for direct and sincere dialogue. Statements and declarations can’t solve problems like intolerance and discrimination. The 20th century witnessed gruesome atrocities against various ethnic groups. There was no possibility to alert the world about the Armenian Genocide. But the massacres in Rwanda were the result of threats constantly heard on radio and television,” the President said. “I remember the severe lessons of history. In Azerbaijan, like in the Ottoman Empire, Armenians were eyed as a population which had to be murdered. It’s outrageous that Azerbaijan wants to regain control over Nagorno Karabakh, over the people it once attempted to annihilate.”

The President concluded saying, “Abuse of freedom leads to hatred and violence while our goal is a dialogue between cultures and civilizations.”