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Foreign Minister Sums Up Results of 2000

YEREVAN, Dec. 27 (ArmenPress) - Summing up the results of the outgoing year, Armenian foreign minister Vartan Oskanian described it as "rather active and effective."

Speaking to reporters on December 26, minister Oskanian said that the Armenian foreign policy was conducted in three main directions, as in previous years, including complementarity, political reality and active involvement.

According to Oskanian, Armenia's viability, its political stability and economic development are conditional on the overall situation in the region. That is why the official Yerevan pursued three main policy lines in its regional policy: peaceful resolution of the Karabagh conflict, expansion of cooperation and development of friendly relations with Armenia's immediate neighbors.

As to the first direction, there has not been any reported progress. "We have only managed to retain the sides' pledge to find a peaceful solution to the conflict and maintain the cease-fire regime," the minister said.

The second direction involved security and stability, cultural and economic issues. Despite Armenia's efforts, no serious shifts have been reported in Armenia's relations with Turkey. "Armenia is ready to embark on a universal dialogue with Turkey, which would involve diplomatic, political and economic areas," Oskanian said. Recognition of Armenian genocide is not a precondition for starting cooperation between the two countries, he said. The minister commended the progress in Armenia's relations with Georgia and Iran. Next year Armenian foreign minister is expected to pay a visit to Iran. Referring to Armenia's relations with Russia, the minister said the shift has been given to economic matters. He emphasized the visa-free regime for traveling between the two countries.

According to Oskanian, Armenia-US relations have also reported progress. Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, prohibiting US government's direct aid to Azerbaijan until it lifts Armenia's blockade, was maintained.

Oskanian expressed hope that the current level of Armenia-US relations will be retained under the new US administration.

Oskanian stressed Armenia's relations with the European countries, saying that the Scandinavian countries were included. The Armenian president is expected to pay official visits to France and Austria in 2001. Progress is foreseen in Armenia's relations with the Balkan and Central European countries.

2001 is also important in terms of Armenia's accession to the Council of Europe. Referring to Armenia's relations with the Middle Eastern countries, Oskanian said that during President Kocharian's visit to the region in January 2000, Armenia's positions regarding the status of Jerusalem and the Arab-Palestine conflict were presented.

"We support the peaceful solution of this conflict on the basis of UN resolutions," said Oskanian.

Oskanian also stressed Armenia's relations with the Diaspora. He said that a special secretariat to deal with Armenia-Diaspora issues would start operating, beginning from mid-January.