Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, who is in Brussels on a working visit, met today with the EU High Commissioner Xavier Solana. During the meeting Xavier Solana welcomed the visit of the Armenian prime minister to Brussels and noted that it is taking place on right time when presidential elections are going to take place in Armenia. The high commissioner pointed out that he had many times met with the Armenian president with whom he has warm relations and discussed issues on the development of EU-Armenia relations. He also underscored the conduction of the coming presidential elections in accordance with international standards. On his turn, the Armenian prime minister conveyed the greetings of the Armenian president noting that he is aware of their warm relations. Sargsyan said that main issues of Armenia are elections, process of democratization, which first stems from the interest of Armenia and its people. “We seek to conduct good elections and be assessed not only from outside but inside as well,” the prime minister said. He noted that in this respect, parliamentary elections conducted in Armenia were positively assessed and Armenia is interested in developing the success that is to say to conduct the presidential elections better. According to him, today Armenia has a number of difficult issues – Karabakh conflict, relations with Turkey, conduction of reforms of the second round. He noted that these issues may be regulated only by a person who became president as result of elections conducted in accordance with international standards. Xavier Solana agreed with the Armenian prime minister, expressing hope that the elections will pass on a high level. During the meeting the interlocutors also referred to the regional issues including the Karabakh conflict regulation issue. Armenian prime minister pointed out that Armenia sees regulation of Karabakh conflict only in a peaceful way. According to him, in spite of Azerbaijan’s military rhetoric, there are big opportunities for it, as he believes that the peaceful regulation of the conflict does not have any alternative. Xavier Solana also considered the military regulation of the conflict inadmissible, pointing out that EU will not let such worsening of the events. The prime minister pointed out that having EU’s support, it is possible to regulate relations with Turkey as well. EU high commissioner noted that after the elections the work towards implementation of Armenia-EU Action program carried out within the framework of EU new neighborhood policy will continue. At the end of the meeting Xavier Solana wished success to the prime minister and Armenia. After the meeting with the EU high commissioner Serzh Sargsyan met with the EU Science and Research Affairs Commissioner Yanes Potochnik and leader of the European People’s Party Wilfred Martens. The prime minister is also expected to meet with NATO Secretary General Yaap de Hoop Scheffer, mayor of Brussels Freddy Tielmans.
