Utiashvili-Georgia - Good day, Mr. Minister. Thank you for consenting to do this interview. My name is Shota Utiashvili. I represent the daily newspaper 24 hours. First question - Did the results of the presidential and parliamentary elections affect the foreign policy of RA? If yes, how?

V. Oskanian - Now that quite a long time has passed after the elections, I can say No, the elections really didn't have an effect on the foreign policy of the Republic of Armenia. And this is fundamentally for the following reason: everybody understands well that in our countries where democracy has made real progress, but hasn't reached a successful culmination yet, there can always be deficiencies. At the same time, it is the aspirations and determination of those countries to continue on the path to democracy that is important.

Utiashvili-Georgia - Is the Republic of Armenia preparing to become a member of the Free Trade Zone? Does Armenia consider integration into CIS structures a priority?

V. Oskanian - Today, one of the common issues facing CIS members is the creation of a Free Trade Zone. A great deal of work has been done, but we are still far from a resolution of that problem. In spite of the CIS's multifaceted significance, that organization cannot yet be a completely integrated system since it cannot secure serious economic gains for its members.

Hakobyan-RA - How do you interpret the fact that almost all high-ranking visitors to Armenia hold the requisite meeting with Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians?

V. Oskanian - I think that this is a good tradition. It must be said that it is often they, the visitors themselves, who express the wish to visit Echmiatsin and meet with the Catholicos. Although there is a separation of church and state, I think that these visits to Echmiatsin and the meetings with the Catholicos provide a fuller understanding of Armenia and Armenians.

Utiashvili-Georgia - Cooperation between Armenia and NATO has deepened of late. Does Armenia intend to further deepen this cooperation and how do you see future relations between Armenia and NATO?

V. Oskanian - Relations between Armenia and NATO have truly progressed and deepened, within the framework of the Partnership for Peace program. Despite the fact that cooperation with Russia serves as the basis of our security, many other components make it more effective. Of those components, I want to highlight cooperation between Armenia and NATO, the implementation of the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty, Armenia's participation in the Collective Security treaty, as well as bilateral cooperation within the military arena, especially with the USA and Greece. All of this is in harmony with Armenia's foreign policy.

Martirosyan-RA - Good day, Mr. minister. What consequences will the US sanctions against Syria, and the worsening situation around Iran have for Armenia?

V. Oskanian - These two issues trouble us very much. Especially the situation around Iran, which will also affect Armenia. At this time, we can only hope that both Iran and the other sides will be able to take positiosn which will avoid an undesirable cycle.

Utiashvili-Georgia - Now there are discussions about throwing open rail communication between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation via Abkhazia. There are also discussions about constructing an Iranian gas pipeline thru Georgia and Armenia. How important are these projects for Armenia and what prospects do you see?

V. Oskanian - Today the Armenia-Iran pipeline pursues two goals: that pipeline has great significance for Armenia's energy security. As regards the Abkhazia railway, we understand that opening this railway doesn?t depend on Armenia, but at the same time, I think it?ll be useful for all sides.

Martirosyan-RA - Mr. Minister, how would you comment on the situation in Azerbaijan, after the elections/. What is the official viewpoint of Yerevan?

V. Oskanian - We don't want to give official comments about what has happened, nevertheless what we see on TV and read in press, including international news reports, is quite terrible.

H. Salmanov-Azerbaijan - Hello, Mr. Oskanian. It's Hugues Salmanov from Azerbaijan from the Express newspaper. In the summer, my colleagues and I were in Sevan. On August 4, we heard on the radio that Ilham Aliev was elected Prime Minister. The reaction of my Armenian colleagues was quite positive. Do you also think that Ilham Aliev is the candidate (especially after the elections) who most corresponds to Armenia's foreign policy.

V. Oskanian - We can only give our assessment after we've had specific contacts with Mr. Aliyev. In any case, I've already said, and I'll say it again today, progress in the Nagorno Karabagh conflict depends to a great extend on preserving the spirit of the Kocharian-Heidar Aliyev negotiations.

Utilashvili - Georgia - Recently, you've had several meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey. How do you see prospectts for normal relations between the two countries?

V. Oskanian - I approach that question with cautious optimism. I think that we can register positive movement forward. Much depends on how closely Armenia-Turkey relations will be dependent on other issues, such as the Karabakh conflict. After two meetings with my colleague, I am under the impression that we can direct our efforts fundamentally at bilateral relations.

H. Salmanov- Azerbaijan - A new subdivision of the Caucasus is obvious. The world's powers, although they speak about contemporary realities, will probably, at least temporarily throw the South Caucasus into the lap of the Russians. That's what Azerbaijani society thinks. What does this mean - old relationships in a new format in the post-Soviet space, or discord between Russia and Azerbaijan?

V. Oskanian - Regarding ongoing processes in the region, we think that of course there is interest on the part of the superpowers in our region, but there is also competition. The form and the quality of that competition are noticeably different from the situation during the Cold War. The difference is also that many things depend on the states in the Caucasus, on how correctly they can orient themselves in that new competition. Armenia, with her policy of complementary, attempts to go the path of conflating those interests. The future of our region also depends on the cooperation among the three South-Caucasian countries and their common understanding on the future of the region.

Krishtalev E.A.- Azerbaijan - When can we expect the next stage in negotiations within the Minsk Group process, as well as with personal contact between officials of Armenia and Azerbaijan?

V. Oskanian - I know that the Co-Chairmen of the Minsk Group promised to attend the region at the first possible opportunity. Armenia has agreed to that 'first opportunity', if that fits in with the schedules of those individuals with whom they wish to meet. Therefore, the ball is in the other court.

Krishtalev E.A.- Azerbaijan - To what extent can Armenia consider itself an independent country if its borders are secured by foreign guards, and many of its companies are under foreign control? Does the Armenian government have a plan to avoid such economic and political dependence?

V. Oskanian - Armenia is independent enough to decide who will protect her borders. It was her sovereign decision and request, arising from her own national interests. In the economic arena, Armenia's investment field is quite varied and different countries are noticeably present in Armenia's economy. In any case, judging a country's independence by the degree of foreign investment does not correspond to the logic of integration and globalization. If what you say is right, then it could be assumed that Azerbaijan is being governed by oil companies.

Utilashvili S.A.- Georgia - What is the position of official Yerevan concerning the construction of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and the Baku-Erzerum oil and gaspipelines?

V. Oskanian - We don't have a special position on this. We do maintain that all regional economic initiatives are good so long as those economic levers are not used against a third country.

Krishtalev E.A.- Azerbaijan - What do you think of political configuration in the South Caucasus after the elections?

V. Oskanian - I don't think that these elections brought about a significant change. In all cases, there is a continuity.

Martirossian - RA - Does Armenia see that the restarting of the Karabakh war is a possibility?

V. Oskanian - In spite of militaristic announcements from Azerbaijan, I think that judging the existing balance of power and the military capabilities of the sides, restarting military activities is not probable. In any case, we are daily increasing the military efficiency of our army. 
Thank you for interesting questions. Until we meet again.