On September 15 Mr. Tigran Torosyan, the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia received the delegation headed by Mr. Zhelyu Zhelev, former President of the Republic of Bulgaria, President of the Balkan Political Club. Mr. Stefan Dimitrov, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to Armenia, also participated in the meeting.

Mr. Zhelev presented to the NA President the activities of the Balkan Political Club and the purpose of his visit to Armenia. It was noted that the Balkan Political Club is an NGO, established in 2001 in Sofia, uniting notable political figures and intelligentsia representatives of the Balkan region countries. The Club has 60 members from 12 countries: acting and former presidents, prime ministers, ministers, MPs, intelligentsia representatives. The Club is a non-political organization. The purpose of the visit to South Caucasus and Armenia is to discuss and clarify opportunities of the establishment of similar political club in the region.

Mr. T. Torosyan, the RA NA President, positively evaluated the establishment of similar structure, reminding the experience of the South Caucasian Parliamentary Initiative. The Parliament President mentioned, that being a supporter of regional cooperation, he will do his best for the establishment of a similar structure in South Caucasus as well, if the ideas, principles and values are determined. And debates, which will bring to some outcomes, might be held around these ideas, principles and values. Mr. Torosyan considered the Euro Integration as one of these unifying principles, which is a process demanding time, efforts and lasting work. With this regard, the fulfillment of obligations by regional countries undertaken during the accession the PACE was highlighted.

The parties also touched upon the conflicts, and especially the issue of Nagorno Karabakh settlement, noting that the deepening of Euro Integration and the European system of values might promote this. Mr. Zhelev noted that the Kosovo conflict settlement is a tough problem for the Balkans. It is evident that it is not possible to find radical and acceptable solutions for everybody at once, but the time brings its solutions as well. Mr. T. Torosyan noted that the conflicts have their history, roots, and peculiarities, and there is no common key to the solution. With this regard the importance of the OSCE Minsk Group work was highlighted, and seeking of solutions out of its format does not promote the overcoming of the very conflict.

Other issues were discussed during the meeting.