YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–A delegation of the National Assembly of Armenia led by Speaker Khosrov Haroutiunian is on an official visit to Romania and Bulgaria on September 21-25 at the invitation of the chairmen of the two countries’ parliamen’s.
During the first day of the visit in Bucharest–Haroutiunian and members of the delegation met with the chairman of the Upper Chamber of the Romanian Parliament Petre Roman. who voiced confidence that meetings with Romanian officials scheduled within the framework of the visit would promote stronger traditional friendly ties between the two countries.
Haroutiunian pointed out that boosted inter-parliamentary ties will give a new impetus and more business character to the chain of Armenian-Romanian intergovernmental relations.
The importance of integration of Armenia and Romania into European structures and inter-parliamentary cooperation within these structures was stressed. In issues of regional economic cooperation–such as the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and the TRACECA Program and the need for creating a stable field for integration was stressed. This field will also have a favorable impact on the process of peaceful solutions to regional conflicts.
Haroutiunian–presenting Armenia’s position on the Karabakh settlement–pointed out that Armenia is a strong supporter of direct negotiations between Karabakh and Azerbaijan within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. The importance of the meeting between parliamentarians of Armenia–Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh scheduled to be held in Strasbourg on November 2-3 was stressed as a step promoting a peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict and establishing direct contacts. The Armenian parliamentary delegation also met with Romania’s Transport Minister Trayan Basesku. During the meeting the sides discussed issues pertaining to the creation and development of a trade and economic and transport corridor via Romania and linking Central Asian countries with Europe.
The Armenian side suggested establishing trilateral cooperation between Romania–Georgia and Armenia. Both sides expressed hope that this initiative can create preconditions or further integration into European structures and that the realization of this idea will ensure the establishment of the shortest and most inexpensive corridor for transit cargo shipmen’s through Romania to Armenia and Georgia–opening the way to the Middle East and Central Asia.
Nevertheless–the participants expressed their concern over the fact that although about 25 documen’s have been signed between Armenia and Romania–the ties of the deputy friendship groups still remain inert.
A reception was given at the House of Armenian Culture in Romania on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia. Attending the event were Senate Speaker Petre Roman–political figures and Romanian artists–diplomats and representatives of the local Armenian community.