Behind the scenes of the "closed doors" meeting of John Heffern with members of Armenian parliament

Practically, all the domestic
political and foreign political issues of Armenia's agenda were discussed over
yesterday's meeting  of US Ambassador to
Armenia, John Heffern, with members of the Armenian National Assembly (NA)
Standing Committee for Foreign Relations, that lasted for 2,5 hours. The
meeting was held behind the closed doors. 

As a member of the parliament from the ruling RPA
Samvel Nikoyan told Arminfo correspondent, they were discussing Armenia's
joining Eurasian Economic Union, and Heffern said that Washington respects
Armenia's choice. They also touched on the economic situation in the country,
the Armenian-American partnership and regional processes.

The ambassador also touched on the latest incidents
linked with firing of motors of Armenian oppositionists and the beating of one
of them.

Special attention was drawn at opening of the
Abkhazian sector of the railway that connects Armenia with Russia. In this
context, US Ambassador said that he welcomes the possibility of unblocking
Armenia's communications and the opening of the Abkhazian sector of the railway
will lead to activation of the Armenian economy, as well as, the economic
situation of the region in general.

To note, the railway communication with Armenia should
be rehabilitated via opening the Abkhaz railway section, Russian President
Vladimir Putin said. "We think it possible to consider and implement a
project on transit railway service to Sukhumi, Tbilisi and farther to Armenia
on the one hand and to Russia on the other hand if we come to an agreement with
our partners", he said.  He
expressed confidence that implementation of such a project will create
conditions to promote cooperation among all the concerned countries in the
region. 

Incidentally, US Department of State sharply
criticized the treaty signed between Moscow and Sukhumi, and emphasized that it
recognizes territorial integrity of Georgia. It also added that similar
documents promote escalation of the situation in the region. As for Tbilisi, it
said that the Abkhazian sector of the railway may be opened only after
permission of Georgia.