ARMENIA’S MEMBERSHIP IN THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE SHOULD NOT DEPEND ON PROCESSES GOING ON IN AZERBAIJAN, STATED ROBERT KOCHARIAN

18.09.2000, MEDIAMAX, YEREVAN. Armenia’s membership in the Council of Europe should not be conditioned by the processes, proceeding in Azerbaijan, stated today President Kocharian at the meeting with the newly appointed Italian Ambassador to Armenia, Paolo Andrea Trabalza, was reported to MEDIAMAX in the press office of the President of Armenia.
Presenting the position of the authorities in the question of Armenia’s accession to the Council of Europe, President Kocharian noted that Armenia is not against the simultaneous accession to CE with Azerbaijan if the principle of the simultaneous membership doesn’t make the countries mutually dependent.
“We desire our neighbor country to be based on democratic values and respect the human rights, which will allow her be more predictable”, said Kocharian.
Congratulating the Ambassador with his appointment, the Armenian President expressed contentment with the recently activated Armenian-Italian economic cooperation.
Greeting Armenia’s efforts to become a full member of the European family, Ambassador Trabalza said that Italy actively supports Armenia in the question of its accession to the Council of Europe. -0-