BEFORE TAKING UP THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRESIDENT

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Sir Brian Fall (United Kingdom Representative to the South Caucasus) and Simon Smith (Head of Eastern Department in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London) will visit Yerevan from 12-14 June. The visit is the first part of a preparatory tour of countries in the South Caucasus before the United Kingdom assumes the Presidency of the European Union on 1 July. It will include calls on President Robert Kocharian, Defence Minister Serge Sarkissyan, Trade Minister Karen Chshmaritian and Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham Gharibjanyan, as well as members of the opposition and NGOs working in the fields of democracy and governance.

The objective is to have an exchange of views on issues which will be discussed between Armenia and the European Union during the course of the British Presidency. These are likely to include in particular efforts to reach a lasting solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and developments following the extension of the European Neighbourhood Policy to Armenia.

Sir Brian Fall was previously the United Kingdom Special Representative to Georgia. His remit was extended in 2002 to cover the South Caucasus. His appointment underlines the commitment of the British Government to play an active part in the efforts of the international community to prevent or resolve conflict, and to establish a stable basis for peace and prosperity in each of the three countries and in the region as a whole.

Simon Smith was appointed Head of Eastern Department in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2004.