November 22, 2004 - 22:37 AMT
ARMENIAN SOCIETY HAS EUROPEAN BACKGROUND
"The Armenian society, which was separated from the European political, economic and legal field because of the ideological opposition of the 20-th century, has European background", Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated at the Berlin European Forum. The President considers that Armenia is striving for the formation of the European model of society. At the same time R. Kocharian said, "Our expectations today is to imbue the European Neighborhood policy with real contents. We cannot be simply happy by the news that we are declared new neighbors. We should know how our countries and people will benefit from it". In the President's opinion one of obstacles for the cooperation is Armenia's blockade imposed by Turkey. "We think it is abnormal when a state, opening negotiations for joining the EU is imposing blockade on a member-state of the European Neighborhood policy. Completing his speech Robert Kocharian noted that "the EU was formed thanks to the pragmatism of its founders. Everything began not with parliamentary assemblies or ministerial councils, but with the perception of community of interests and compatibility of systems of values. We would be pleased to observe something like that in the EU policy towards the neighbor-states".