Minister Nalbandian meets with the Prime Minister of Greece

On December 2, Foreign Minister of Armenia delivered speech at the 17th meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council held in Athens.

In his speech Minister Nalbandian touched upon the issues of the OSCE agenda, the necessity of improving the European security attaching importance to the development of a new system of acceptable, equal and comprehensive European security.

Foreign Minister of Armenia drew the attention of Foreign Ministers of the OSCE member states on the non-compliance of Azerbaijan to the international obligations of arms control regime, regular war rhetoric and the obvious violation of one of the basic principles of international law – the principle of non-use or threat of use of force.

Minister Nalbandian also touched upon the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations attaching importance to the ratification of Protocols signed between Armenia and Turkey. By Minister’s words, unreasonable delays and preconditions in this process, including attempts to link this and Nagorno-Karabakh process may harm the both.

Armenian Foreign Minister thanked the international community for the strong support in the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations. Edward Nalbandian emphasized that all the countries in the world expressed their support for the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey, but there is only one country, Azerbaijan, that opposes to the process, therefore running against to both the OSCE basic principles and the whole international community.

Touching upon the negotiations for the settlement of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) issue Edward Nalbandian stressed the importance of maintaining of positive dynamics formed in the result of the meeting between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan and underlined the necessity to refrain from the steps that could hamper the peace process. As a fresh example of such action Minister Nalbandian pointed the speech of Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan delivered a few minutes before in which he once more made an attempt to misinterpret the essence of the Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) conflict and of the ongoing negotiations.
The second day of the OSCE Ministerial Council was also full of bilateral meetings.

The first meeting of Edward Nalbandian was with George Papandreou, the Greek Prime Minister and OSCE Chairman-in-Office.

Minister Nalbandian delivered the regards and wishes of the President of Armenia to the Prime Minister of Greece and expressed satisfaction with the close cooperation established between the two countries.

Welcoming Armenian Foreign Minister, the Greek Prime Minister said that Armenian-Greek friendship has century old roots and traditions and the Greek leadership wants to undertake substantial steps for the further deepening of cooperation.

Prime Minister Papandreou and Minister Nalbandian discussed wide range of issues concerning the bilateral relations between Armenia and Greece, highly appreciated the established political dialogue and touched upon the steps to be taken for the further strengthening of cooperation in different areas.

The two exchanged views on issues of OSCE agenda, Armenia – European Union cooperation and regional issues.

In Athens Armenian Foreign Minister also had a meeting with OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut. The two discussed issues concerning the OSCE activities in different areas, exchanged views on the reforms of the organization.

Minister Nalbandian mentioned that Armenia attaches importance to the role of the OSCE in the process of maintaining security and cooperation in Europe and will continue its active participation in the activity of the organization in all dimensions.

On the request of OSCE Secretary General Foreign Minister of Armenia presented the positive dynamics registered in the negotiations for the settlement of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) issue, the results of the Munich meeting between Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Within the context of discussions on regional issues the two touched upon the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, OSCE Secretary General expressed his support for the steps being undertaken in that direction and expressed hope that signed protocols will soon be ratified and it will be possible to start the implementation of agreements.

Edward Nalbandian’s next meeting was with Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

Armenian Foreign Minister congratulated Thorbjørn Jagland on the election as the CoE Secretary General and expressed confidence that he will have his substantial contribution in the implementation of the goals of the organization.

In the course of the meeting, they discussed a number of issues concerning the CoE activities.

Minister Nalbnadian and Secretary General Jagland had comprehensive talks on the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations. CoE Secretary General welcomed the steps aimed at the establishment of normal relations between the member countries of the organization.

Minister Nalbandian invited CoE Secretary General to visit Yerevan.

During the meeting with the Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Martinov Edward Nalbandian discussed the implementation of agreements reached between the Presidents of Armenia and Belarus, which are aimed at the development of bilateral relations, as well as a number of regional and international issues.

Summarizing the results of the 17th meeting of OSCE Ministerial Council Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian had a briefing with Armenian journalists, covering the event in Athens.

Before leaving Athens, Edward Nalbandain had a meeting with the leaders of ARF Greek structures on their request. Minister Nalbandian presented the recent developments in the negotiations for the settlement of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) issue, as well as the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.

On the same day Edwards Nalbandian concluded visit to Greece and left for Yerevan.