February 17, 2006 - 17:55 AMT
European Neighborhood Policy to Open New Prospects for South Caucasus
Today Armenian National Assembly Speaker Artur Baghdassaryan met with EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner, reported RA NA press office. The parties referred to the political reforms, energy security and the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. Benita Ferrero-Waldner voiced satisfaction with the economic progress fixed in the South Caucasian states. She noted the importance of the European Neighborhood Policy, which will open new prospects for the states of the region. The RA NA speaker briefed on the legislative work carried out by the Armenian parliament after the adoption of the constitutional amendments. When touching upon the European Neighborhood Policy Artur Baghdassaryan noted that democratic reform will contribute to the improvement of relations between the countries. He also highly appreciated the EU's efforts targeted at promotion of democratic processes in the South Caucasian states. Besides the interlocutors noted the importance of finding alternative energy sources. Artur Baghdassaryan marked out the programs of EU transport programs within TRACECA project. The parties also agreed to hold a joint conference on the European Neighborhood Policy in the Armenian parliament with the participation of EU member-states' Ambassadors.