On February 17, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian continued his visit to Poland.

In the framework of the visit Edward Nalbandian was received by President of Poland Lech Kaczyński.

Stressing Armenian-Polish similarities, President Kaczyński said that friendship, mutual respect between the two nations goes back to the depth of centuries and that creates a solid basis for development of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

President Kaczyński and Minister Nalbandian had a discussion on the issues concerning maintenance of peace and stability in the region of South Caucasus. Minister Nalbandian presented to Lech Kaczyński recent developments Artsakh peace process.

The two also discussed the possibiliteis of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations. In that context President Kaczyński welcomed the steps undertaken by Armenia for the normalization.

Polish President thanked Armenia for assistance in the evacuation of Polish citizens from Georgia during the events around South Ossetia in August 2008 and asked to deliver his greetings to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

Within the framework of his official visit to Poland Edward Nalbandian laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

On the same day, Edward Nalbandian visited the Parliament of Poland where he had separate meetings with Marshal of the Sejm Bronisław Komorowski and Marshal of the Senate Bogdan Borusewicz.

Welcoming the Armenian Foreign Minister, Marshal of the Sejm Bronisław Komorowski told that Polish people have a special sympathy toward Armenian nation. Having lived in Poland for centuries representative of Armenian community made their contribution to the development of the country. The presence of two deputies of Armenian origin in the current Parliamentary sitting is the evidence of that.

Edward Nalbandian attached importance to cooperation between Armenian and Polish Parliaments considering it one of the guarantees for deepening of friendly relations between the two countries.

Marshal of the Sejm mentioned that Poland pays a great attention to the strengthening of stability and security in the South Caucasus and in that context attaches importance to the peaceful settlement of existing conflicts and establishment of friendly relations in the region.

Minister Nalbandian attracted Marshal’s attention on Azerbaijan’s efforts to initiate arms race in the region and continuing militaristic policy  not only hamper Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) peace process, but also creates a serious threat for regional security.

Edward Nalbandian’s next meeting was with Marshal of the Senate Bogdan Borusewicz. Recalling his visit to Armenia in 2006, the Marshal expressed satisfaction on the level of cooperation with Armenian Parliament. He reconfirmed his invitation to the Speaker of Armenian National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan to visit Poland and mentioned that it will promote the strengthening of Parliamentary ties.

During the meeting the two discussed the EU “Eastern Partnership” initiative, co-proposed by the Poland and the cooperation within that framework.

Edward Nalabndian and Bogdan Borusewicz exchanged views on Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) peace process.

Edward Nalbandian also visited the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and met ODIHR Director Ambassador Janez Lenarcic.

Ambassador Lenarcic expressed satisfaction on the visit of Armenian Foreign Minister to the ODHIR and mentioned that it is the first visit of Armenian high-ranking official to the ODHIR headquarters.

Ministern Nalbandian and Ambassador Lenarcic discussed the process of democratic reforms in Armenia and the steps to be made in that direction.

Minister Nalbandian called Janez Lenarcic’s attention on Azerbaijan’s propaganda of national hatred that is obvious and gross violation of the OSCE criteria.

Edward Nalbandian invited Janez Lenarcic to visit Armenia.

On the same day, Foreign Minister of Armenia visited the Armenian Embassy in Poland and met with the representatives of Armenian community of Warsaw. In a two hour-long meeting, Minister Nalbandian answered different questions of Polish Armenian Community’s concern.

Armenian Foreign Minister concluded his visit to Poland and left for Czech Republic.