Sargsyan: like U.S, authorities of Armenia will keep on combating extremists

PanARMENIAN.Net - RA Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan received U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair Matthew Bryza. The meeting was attended by U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Armenia Joseph Pennington and Embassy Adviser on Political and Economic Issues Steven Banks, the RA government's press office reported.



With reference to the post-election situation in Armenia, the parties have touched upon the ways out of it. They have also discussed the efforts for averting ceasefire breaches like the one that occurred on March 4 in the contact line between the NKR and Azerbaijan and the issue of the Armenian-Turkish relationship settlement.



In presenting the objectives behind his visit, Mr. Bryza said that he had a mission on the part of the U.S. Secretary of State to get a first-hand view of the situation at hand by meeting representatives of different sides, as well as to forward specific messages. Mr. Bryza further advised that before this meeting he was able to hear on TV the Prime Minister's constructive remarks made at today's cabinet session and was very pleased with the highlights of his statement. "This is just what I expected to hear from you at this meeting, but to my satisfaction you have already voiced them," Mr. Bryza said.



According to him, it is time to ease the current tension, anyone should show great sense of responsibility by realizing that Armenia must recover those assets gained before this situation. Speaking about the state of emergency, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State mentioned that it cannot last endlessly and now efforts have to be made towards this end. Matthew Bryza agreed with the prime minister in that the state of emergency is really an instrument that helps ease tensions and direct processes towards a natural course. He stressed that it is impossible to move along the path of democracy unless there is law and order in the country.



Serzh Sargsyan noted that the statement made at today's session was not an extraordinary one. "I said what I used to say for the past few months. He stressed that work should be continued with those desirous of cooperating with the authorities. He further mentioned that either those who do not want to do so are Armenian citizens and may think anything within the bounds of law, but if they commit offences they must answer for their deeds before the law. He went on to note that, like the United States, the authorities of Armenia will keep on fighting against extremists. According to the Prime Minister, objectively formulated and unbiased estimates must be issued on all sides if the situation is to be stabilized. "I deem we have still much to do and will of course strive for stabilizing the situation in the country and continuing reforms. I am confident in success. All we need at this point is public order," Serzh Sargsyan said.



During the meeting, Mr Bryza said he had had the opportunity of knowing better Serzh Sargsyan by discussing with him questions high on the bilateral agenda. "You are a special leader. We support you in principle. The U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Armenia and I believe that you have the kind of vision and approaches that we want to see in the implementation of joint programs. We want you to succeed and we want Armenia to succeed," he said.