Warsaw, 28 January 1998 (RFE/RL) -- Armenian Foreign Minister Aleksander Arzoumanian said yesterday that Poland can play a major role in dealing with the problem of Nagorno-Karabach.
Referring to the fact that Poland took over the chairmanship of the OSCE, Arzoumanian said n Warsaw at a news conference in the Polish Foreign Ministry. He added that "Poland has a special role to play in the region this year." Arzoumanian is in Poland at an official visit. Arzoumanian said that Armenia is watching Poland's practical steps to join the European Union and NATO. "I hope Poland will help us to integrate with the European Union," he said.
He also supported Poland's efforts to join NATO. "Your decision is not directed against any third country." Polish Foreign Minister Bronislaw Geremek told RFE/RL Poland will do its best to be "helpful" in resolving problems of the region around Armenia. "There is a strong determination in Armenia to make progress to resolve Nagorno-Karabach issue," he said. Geremek said he would be meeting French and U.S. officials in Paris in March to discuss a plan to resolve Nagorno-Karabach problem but stopped short of providing details. Geremek and Arzoumanian signed three agreements under which regular air traffic will be opened between Poland and Armenia, cultural exchanges will be intensified and foreign ministries will hold annual consultations on international situation and bilateral relations.