On October 11 Mr. Armen Rustamyan, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations of the National Assembly received Mr. Marius Calligaris, Ambassador of Austria to Armenia.

Highly assessing the Armenian-Austrian relations, Mr. Armen Rustamyam highlighted the development of the bilateral relations and activation of the cooperation of inter- parliamentary cooperation at committees’ level. Considering the European integration one of the priorities of the foreign policy of Armenia Mr. Rustamyan noted that the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan opens new prospects of development for Armenia-EU relations in all directions, and in this context also highlighted the deepening of relations with Austria as an EU old member. He assured that there is an unused great potential of cooperation with Austria in this aspect. The EU- Armenia cooperation is at a very level that a necessity occurred to create a new field of cooperation, deepening the cooperation with EU member countries through contacts. Being a co-chairman of Armenia-EU cooperation for four years Mr. Rustamyan noted that the depth and productivity of the debates is greatly conditioned by the fact, how the deputies of different countries are aware of the situation in Armenia and in the region. In this aspect, he highlighted the creation of the parliamentary group of Austria-South Caucasus in the parliament of Austria, where the same involved deputies will cooperate with the parliaments of South Caucasus three countries, which will make the cooperation full and constructive.

Ambassador Mr. Marius Calligaris, reserving a special role to the parliaments in the development of the relations of the two countries, also highlighted the deepening of the Armenian-Austrian relations in the EU New Neighbourhood framework. The Ambassador considered necessary the activation of the inter-parliamentary ties, noting that a visit to Armenia of the parliamentary group of Austria-South Caucasus is envisaged, which will additionally stimulate bilateral cooperation and Armenia-EU relations. Touching upon the fact of the adoption of the Resolution 106 by the US Congress Committee for Foreign Relations Mr. Marius Calligaris expressed concern related to the reopening of the Armenian-Turkish border, where Armenia is so much interested in.

In Mr. Rustamyan’s opinion, the debates of the committee were good examples of civilized debates, where the issue was comprehensively opened, debated and stressed that the issue of the Armenian Genocide is not only of the past but also is an issue of the future. It is an important result for Mr. Rustamyan that the view that there are absolute values, which are more important than that of today’s ephemeral, relative interests, won. To Mr. Rustamyan’s conviction, the adoption of the resolution will promote the recovery of the Armenian-Turkish relations as the acknowledgement of the truth and the establishment of the justice emanates from the interests of every civilized country. According to him, this step will promote Turkey to get rid of psychological complex and recognizing the fact will testify to its loyalty to civilized values. Turkey needs external impulse and stimulus for starting such process. The steps of recognition of the Armenian Genocide and its condemnation are of such significance by different countries. According to Mr. Rustamyan, if we don’t accept our mistakes we are condemned to repeat them. He informed the Ambassador that in December the committee initiated to hold parliamentary hearings on the theme Armenian-Turkish relations.

The development prospects of bilateral relations and also other issues of mutual interest were debated during the meeting.