OSCE Chairman-in-Office visits Armenia

YEREVAN, 27 February 2001 - The Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana, today arrived on a two-day visit to Armenia.

In Yerevan he met the President of Armenia, Robert Kocharian, the Chairman of the National Assembly Armen Khatchatryan and Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, as well as representatives of NGOs and local media.

Assessing the process of democratization in the country, the Chairman-in-Office congratulated Armenia on its recent admission to the Council of Europe. "This step reflects progress and is a message of hope. Armenia is taking its rightful place among the family of European nations," said Mr. Geoana.

He expressed his gratitude for the support that the Armenian Government and authorities have been giving to the OSCE Office in Yerevan, which was established one year ago. This support proves the importance that Armenia attaches to the implementation of OSCE commitments, said the Chairman-in-Office.

A number of issues were discussed in today's meetings, among them economic and environmental issues, legal and electoral reform and media development.

Also touched upon was the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Foreign Minister Geoana expressed his hopes for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, as well as the OSCE's full support for the peace process.

"We believe the moment has come to be cautiously optimistic regarding a resolution of this conflict, which has remained frozen for too long," said the Chairman-in-Office. He emphasized the need for all parties concerned to reach a compromise. He also raised the issue of the return of refugees and displaced persons, offering the assistance and expertise of the OSCE in finding durable solutions to this multifaceted problem.

For further information contact the Press and Public Information Section of the OSCE Secretariat, tel.: (+ 43-1) 514 36 180 or e-mail: info@osce.org