ARMENIA DOES NOT WANT TO BECOME A VICTIM OF INTERNAL POLITICIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN AZERBAIJAN IN LIGHT OF MEMBERSHIP TO COUNCIL OF EUROPE

05.10.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. Yerevan has always welcomed the possible simultaneous membership of Armenia and Azerbaijan to the Council of Europe based on the fact that this circumstance will contribute to adjustment of the Armenian-Azeri relations and settlement of Karabakh conflict as well as regional stabilization, the Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian told MEDIAMAX.
However, according to Oskanian, Armenia is ready to reconsider this approach in case if the Council of Europe makes a decision on postponing Azerbaijan’s membership to this organization based on unsatisfactory level of parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan to be held November 5. “Armenia does not want to become a victim of internal political developments in Azerbaijan,” the Minister said.
According to the Minister the Armenian diplomacy carries out a purposeful activity that is aimed at consideration by the Council of Europe of the candidacies of the both states independently after November 5 elections. Minister Oskanian also expressed concern over the fact that some of the CE states insist on simultaneous membership of the both states that is not acceptable for Armenia, the Minister concluded. –0–