23:59, 18 February 2004

Chairman of Armenian Liberal Progressive Party urges regional cooperation in South Caucasus

"New democratic presidential and general elections should be held in Armenia this year. This is the only way for us to withstand challenges, including those connected with the Karabakh issue," Ovannes Ovannisian, chairman of the Liberal Progressive Party, announced on February 16, at the constituent congress of the Party. He noted that reasoning from those mistakes made by the authorities in the foreign policy, as well as from the actual lack of the institution of elections and strengthening of the clannish system and corruption, the Party would work in the opposition field and would cooperate with opposition forces. The geopolitical situation in the world and economic and political processes in the region have led the Party to the persuasion that the first thing Armenia needs is the development of liberalism and democracy, said Ovannes Ovannisian. He urged the regional cooperation and normal mutual relations with neighboring countries, first of all, with Georgia. Mr Ovannisian expressed hope the South Caucasus would be rated as a single economic unit with time.

Author: Ashot Ter-Grigorian, CK correspondent

Source: Caucasian Knot