Azerbaijanis do not want to sit at the same table with Armenians
The 39th plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) launched in the Armenian capital on May 23.
"The Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation is a key structure for Armenia in terms of regional cooperation," Vigen Sargsyan, Head of Armenian President's staff, conveyed Serzh Sargsyan's addressing message to some 70 participants of the session who had arrived in Yerevan from ten countries.
"Only through the expansion of regional cooperation, opening of closed borders and multilateral collaboration we can promote mutual confidence which is an important prerequisite for solving all problems in a compromised and peaceful way," read the message.
The session was attended by Azerbaijani and Turkish delegates who refused to answer the questions of Armenian journalists. Azerbaijani representatives even refused to partake in yesterday's official dinner.
"Unlike us, Armenians, they [Azerbaijanis] are badly disposed to all those who have warm relations with Armenians. They attach great importance to the public opinion," said Samvel Nikoyan, Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly who chairs the PABSEC session.
He is hopeful that Azerbaijanis will not try to use the PABSEC rostrum to speculate the Karabakh issue.
"I am sure that their endeavors will fail," he said.
The agenda of the two-day session includes issues relating to the organization of BSEC activities, improvement of tax system in BSEC member countries, prospects for development of viticulture and winemaking, implementation of agreements in the fight against organized crime, as well as cultural, educational, social and other issues.
