On December 5, Edward Nalbandian who was in Helsinki with a working visit delivered speech at the 16th session of the OSCE Ministerial Council.
The Armenian Foreign Minister attached importance to the signed Declaration by Presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia on November 2 in Moscow and at the same time mentioned that Azerbaijan misinterprets all the provisions of the Declaration going as far as stating that the peaceful settlement does not exclude use of force. 
As another example of the misinterpretation of the Declaration and the whole process of negotiations Minister Nalbandian brought the “provocative document” circulated by Azerbaijani delegation in Helsinki on December 4, which distorts the whole sense of peace talks.
Armenian Foreign Minister emphasized that despite all this the Armenian side hopes that he will be able to maintain the spirit and the positive momentum of the Moscow Declaration and will advance towards the settlement of the issue. By Minister’s definition this was the vision of the declaration made by Foreign Ministers of Minsk Group Co-Chair countries on December 4.
In his speech Minister Nalbandian presented the Armenian position on the OSCE activity on different dimensions and underlined that Armenia is for continuation of cooperation within the OSCE in all three dimensions.
Edward Nalbandian underlined that Europe needs a new security architecture which will take into account all existing concerns. “With this in mind, we think that a debate over a European security treaty can provide a good platform for the development of a commonly acceptable system”.
By Minister Nalbandian’s definition entire implementation of the commitments of the Conventional Arms Control Treaty is crucial for maintenance of security and stability. Armenian Foreign Minister expressed regrets that Azerbaijan’s massive military build-up conducted in violation of its international obligations has not received adequate reaction from the majority of the state parties of the CACT.
Edward Nalbandian said that Armenia is ready to continue constructive cooperation with the OSCE/ODIHR and at the same time support re-evaluation of the role of that organization. Armenian Foreign Minister expressed readiness to work with all interested states of the OSCE in that direction.
Touching upon the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, Minister Nalbandian mentioned that political will expressed by the Presidents of two countries and ongoing negotiations create basis for establishment of relations between Armenia and Turkey without preconditions.

Within the OSCE ministerial Council Edward Nalbandian met with Foreign Minister of Cyprus Markos Kyprianou. Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the rates of development of relations between two countries and agreed to undertake specific steps aimed at further deepening of bilateral relationship. Ministers exchanged views on normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations and possibilities of settlement of Cyprus issue.
Ministers discussed bilateral partnership within the framework of cooperation between Armenia and European Union, as well as joint steps to be undertaken for promotion of bilateral relationship in areas of economy, culture and education.

On the same day Edward Nalbandian met with Alexander Stubb, Foreign Minister of Finland, OSCE Chairman-in-Office. At the meeting Minister Nalbandian expressed his gratitude for the attention toward Armenia during Finish Chairmanship-in-Office in the OSCE. In the course of the meeting the two touched upon recent developments in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) peace process. In that context Minister Nalbandian stressed that the Declaration of Foreign Ministers of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries made on December 4 and Declaration of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OSCE 56 member-states on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh issue can create solid stimulus for progress in negotiation process.
Ministers also exchanged views on the ways of further deepening of Armenian-Finish friendly relationship. Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Finland touched upon cooperation between Armenia and European Union, and in that context Minister Nalbandian welcomed the Eastern Partnership initiated by the European Commission. Edward Nalbandian invited Alexander Stubb to Yerevan.

Armenian Foreign Minister also met with Dora Bakoyannis, Foreign Minister of Greece – the country that assumes the OSCE Chairmanship in 2009. During the talks Ministers touched upon Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) peace process. Greek Foreign Minister accepted Edward Nalbandian’s invitation to visit Yerevan and informed that she intends to visit Armenia at the first quarter of the coming year.
Minister Nalbandian gave an inclusive interview to the Finnish media.
On December 5, in the evening Edward Nalbandian concluded his visit to Helsinki and returned Yerevan.