Statement by Vartan Oskanian On the occasion of the signing of the joint statements on the conclusion of consultations on the ENP Action Plan

Speeches

Statement by Vartan Oskanian On the occasion of the signing of the joint statements on the conclusion of consultations on the ENP Action Plan
Yerevan, October 02, 2006

We welcome the Finnish Presidency here, in the person of my friend, Erkii Tuomioja, the Finnish FM, and the representative of the European Commission, Torben Holze, representing Benita Ferrero Waldner who called to say she could not be here, because of local political commitments in Austria. Thanks also to Ambassador Terhi Hakala whose tireless efforts have brought us to this day, and also want to recognize Ambassador Peter Semneby, the EU Special Representative to the South Caucasus. Although this document will be signed in November, in Brussels, we appreciate the delegation's coming here to Armenia, so that our public can share in this historic occasion.

I would also like to thank the NGOs and civil society for their engagement and involvement in enhancing the content and make it more representative of the wishes of our society.

Once the document is signed, we'll be able to publicly present the entire document. Let me just tell you that it says clearly, at the outset, that through this Action Plan, Armenia is invited to enter into intensified political, security, economic and cultural relations with the EU, enhanced regional and cross border co-operation and shared responsibility in conflict prevention and conflict resolution.

And the document, goes on to detail each of these categories, and sets a 5-year time period during which each of these actions will take place. This is a huge opportunity for Armenia to become the beneficiary of a tried and true process to change what needs to be changed, re-enforce and confirm that which needs to be affirmed - in a word to strengthen the institutions of state.

The distinction of this document, as the joint statement clearly says, is that it involves significant measures of economic integration and political cooperation. It's called an Action Plan and rightly so. It is not just a document of intentions, but of concrete actions to bring Armenia's social, political, economic systems more in line with Europe's since the premise is that we do in fact live in the same neighborhood and interact together. It opens new partnership perspectives in very basic fields such as science, education, culture, and of course in economic development.

These reforms are extremely important for Armenia. We are where we are today, exactly because we made the courageous economic reforms on Day 1 of our independence. We knew then and we know even better today that reforms are our only resource, they are what will strengthen and empower our society. This document provides the opportunity to move forward with reforms in a focused, strategic way. It gives us a way and a means to do what we know we must do - revamp our institutions, retool our society, rethink our methods and assumptions. We are signing this on the 15th year of our independence, it will be concluded on the 20th year of our independence, and we will be able to mark a new turning point in Armenia's future as a more democratic, open and prosperous society.

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