ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER CALLED NATO TO ENCOURAGE REGIONAL COOPERATION IN THE CAUCASUS

PanARMENIAN.Net - 16.01.2001, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. Development of regional cooperation simultaneously with the process of peace resolution of the Karabakh conflict will create favorable preconditions for compromise settlement of this problem, said Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian at the meeting with NATO Secretary General Lord George Robertson. In this context NATO can encourage the development of regional cooperation between the Southern Caucasian states, Armenian Minister said, Mediamax was informed in the press service of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia.

Perspectives of enlarging Armenia's participation in "Partnership for Peace" program, as well as the possibility of assistance by NATO and NATO member-states in the matter of preparing Armenia for participation in peace-making operations were discussed at the meeting.

Foreign Minister Oskanian highly assessed the last ministerial meeting of the Council of Euro-Atlantic Partnership (CEAP), noting that the discussion of security questions through the development of regional cooperation is important for Caucasus.

As regards NATO's relations with Russia, Lord Robertson named them constructive and said they are developing normally.

NATO Secretary General Lord George Robertson arrived in Yerevan yesterday evening. Today, January 16, he will meet with the President of Armenia Robert Kocharian, Armenian Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian and the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II. --0--