Friday, 1 July 2005
On official visit to Lithuania, earlier today RA Prime Minister Mr. A. Margaryan has met with Speaker of Lithuanian Parliament Mr. Arthuras Paulauskas.
By stating the importance of activated high-level contacts between Armenian and Lithuania in terms of developing bilateral relationship, the Parties expressed confidence that both the prior understandings and the ones reached during the present visit would help strengthen the Armenian-Lithuanian bilateral relationship and outline the prospects for regional cooperation between the South Caucasian and Baltic States.
In noting that legislative harmonization with the European standards was a key element of the process of statehood building in Armenia, Mr. A. Margaryan informed the Speaker of Lithuanian Parliament that a parliamentary ad hoc commission in charge of Armenia's integration to European structures and a working group had been established in parallel with a Prime Minister-headed interagency commission operational within the government. In view of the prospective goals of European integration, the Prime Minister and the Speaker of Lithuanian Parliament prioritized the maintenance of regional stability and security that might be supported by Armenia's more pro-active involvement in the EU-sponsored economic programs which, according to the Prime Minister, would benefit overall development and conflict settlement in the region. Mr. A. Margaryan stressed that, as a whole, Armenia was prepared and willing to embark upon a wider regional cooperation framework without any pre-conditions whatsoever, including Turkey and, in this respect, Lithuania's assistance would be much appreciated. Concerning Armenia's European integration endeavors, the Prime Minister advised that in the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy the European Commission had been officially presented Armenia's preliminary package of proposals for individual program of actions and either in this matter our country was looking forward to Lithuania's support.
The Parties emphasized the preparation and signing of a number of intergovernmental agreements, which would provide a sound framework for the furtherance of the mutually advantageous bilateral collaboration in different field of economy. They also stated the importance of experience sharing in the area of foreign investment and looking into the possibility of Lithuania's investing into the Armenian economy. They expressed the hope that the business forum held in the framework of this visit would be another step towards the establishment of direct contacts between the business communities. The more so that, according to Mr. A. Margaryan, some practical ties had already been struck between the chambers of commerce and industry of the two countries at yesterday's opening session of the forum and an understanding was reached during the meeting with the Mayor of Vilnius over cooperation between the two capital cities and their municipal districts.
Mr. Arthuras Paulauskas mentioned that during his recent visit to Armenia he was able to get persuaded that Armenia and Lithuania had much in common susceptible to build a sound framework for mutually beneficial cooperation. Against this background, the efforts of the two governments and legislatures had to be united in order to give a stronger impetus to these processes. Prioritizing the role of parliamentary ties for the strengthening of both bilateral and multilateral cooperation, Mr. A. Margaryan expressed the hope that the Lithuanian Parliament's former speaker Mr. Vitautas Landsbergis's activities as Deputy Chairman of EU Parliamentary Commission for Relations with South Caucasus would similarly help strengthen Armenia-European Parliament relationship. The Prime Minister stressed the role of the Armenian community of Lithuania in furthering the existing ties of friendship between the two countries and peoples. He said to be especially appreciative of the inauguration of Armenia's stand in the Vilnius Center for Genocide and Conflict Research, which was possible through close synergy between the Armenian community and the staff of the Genocide Victims Museum. During his interviews with Lithuania's President, Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament, Mr. A. Margaryan stressed that Armenia was hopeful of having Lithuania's support in getting the Armenian Genocide recognized by the EU States. In this connection, Mr. Paulauskas said that he understood the greatest tragedy survived by the Armenians the more so that Lithuania itself had been affected by similar evils in the past and went on to assure that the Lithuanian side would do its utmost to assist Armenia in this matter in the framework of regional policies indeed.
In conclusion, the interlocutors expressed the hope that the establishment and development of such relationship as would match the new political and economic realities existing between the two countries would help restore and expand the former ties for the benefit of the two countries and peoples.
Following the meeting with the Speaker of Lithuanian Parliament, Prime Minister A. Margaryan and his delegation left for Trakai, where they paid a visit to the local Museum of History and the Trakai Castle, familiarized themselves with the architectural and historical sites. In closing of the visit, Mr. A. Margaryan has made a record in the Visitors' Book at the Trakai Castle.
Then the Prime Minister-led delegation returned to Vilnius.
Today the Prime Minister and the members of his delegation are due back to Yerevan.
