BRUSSELS, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS: On June 22, Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian participated in an international conference on Iraq, at the invitation of the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the Secretary General of the European Union Javier Solana. Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the UN, together with Jean Asselborn, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg which holds the EU Presidency, as well as Secretary Rice spoke about building a renewed international partnership to help Iraq. Representatives of the Iraqi Transitional Government presented their vision and strategy at the conference held in Brussels. More than 80 foreign ministers attended the conference and discussed support for Iraq’s political transition process, encouraging its economic recovery and reconstruction, and helping establish the rule of law and public order in the country.
At the conference, Minister Oskanian said, “We commend and appreciate the simple act of convening this conference. It was important for everyone. It was significant for those in Iraq who need to know that the world continues to remain engaged, and it is reinforcing for those involved in the effort to re-build Iraq.” “The people of Iraq need and deserve the persistent political and economic involvement of all of us around the world. Even countries like Armenia, with modest resources, can continue to maintain a small, symbolic presence there,” he said, referring to the 40 non-combat medical personnel who have been engaged there since the beginning of the year.
“Armenians know well the value of moral support and the driving force of concerned onlookers. Further, as the foreign minister of a country and a people still living through the difficult and trying period of transition, I can tell you that it is only through sustained economic support, through the long-term investment of serious economic resources, that a society will begin to believe in the prospect of peace, in the promise of democracy.”
“There is a tendency to ignore or neglect problems for which one has no immediate answer or prospect for solution. Some problems appear too difficult, too exotic, too unknown, too uncertain, too different for immediate solutions. It is when these are ignored that the social and political risks become insurmountable. The Iraqi people have demonstrated a readiness to move ahead, to risk today for the promise of tomorrow. The world community cannot desert them on that road,” he said.
The Minister also noted the presence of Armenians in Iraq. “Iraq is blessed with natural resources. Those include not just those in the ground, but also the wealth that is derived from its ethnic diversity. A sizable and old Armenian community is part of that mix, and we know that together with the other citizens of Iraq they look forward to contributing to Iraq’s prosperous, peaceful future.” Minister Oskanian concluded by saying, “Armenia, in turn, looks forward to developing and strengthening bilateral relations with a peaceful, unified and democratic Iraq. It is only 200 miles, as the crow flies, between our two capitals, and the ability to easily communicate and cooperate is an exciting one for all of us.”
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