On April 27, Minister Vartan Oskanian, in Brussels on working visit, met with Javier Solana, Secretary General of the Council of the EU, and High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, as well as the European Commission's Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and with Commissioner for EU Enlargement, Olli Rehn.
Meeting with EU General Secretary Solana, Minister Oskanian expressed Armenia's readiness to deepen political dialogue with the EU, and they both assessed highly the cooperation that exists between the EU and Armenia.

The two reviewed the details of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process, and focused on the results of the recent meeting held between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in Belgrade. Armenia's Foreign Minister stressed that if Azerbaijan demonstrates political will, it will be possible to register success in the future.

In this context, Minister Oskanian reaffirmed the Armenian position on the GUAM resolution at the UN General Assembly, noting the negative impact of this initiative on the negotiation process. The two also exchanged views on Armenia-Turkey relations and on recent developments in EU-Iran negotiations over nuclear issues.

Minister Oskanian also met with European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner. They presented some details on ENP Action Plan for Armenia. The Commissioner expressed satisfaction at the progress in identification of projects and said that the European Commission expects Armenia to present Action Plan priorities. Minister Oskanian stressed that the presence of a permanent EC delegation in Armenia would help make these processes more efficient.

The two also discussed issues related to the South Caucasus, especially stressing the need to create a favorable atmosphere for regional cooperation. In this regard, the Armenian Minister underscored the importance of the EC's clear position against the construction of the proposed Kars-Akhalkalaki railroad, even as one currently exists running through Armenia, which Armenia has said is available for use without Armenia benefiting from the process, even.

The Commissioner also mentioned the upcoming Parliamentary elections in Armenia, expressing her satisfaction at the favorable conditions which have been created for the productive work of European Parliament Election Observation Mission to Armenia. The two stressed the significance of free and fair elections for the future of Armenia's EU integration processes.

At the conclusion of meeting, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner invited Minister Oskanian to take part in a meeting of EU Neighborhood Policy partner states foreign ministers, on September 3.

Minsiter Oskanian also held a meeting with Olli Rehn, Commissioner for EU Enlargement. During the meeting, the two spoke of regional issues, as well as of current state of Armenia-Turkey relations. Minister Oskanian confirmed that there has not been any progress recently and again stressed the importance of open borders between the two countries and the abolition of Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code.

Commissioner Rehn described the Turkey's EU membership process at the current stage and the European Commission's position regarding the process.

On April 27-29, together with several dozen diplomats, opinion and policy makers from both sides of the Atlantic, Minister Oskanian participated in the Brussels Forum 2007, and was one of four main speakers in a panel entitled "Baltic to the Wider Black Sea: The New EuroAtlantic Challenge?"