Armenpress
ARMENIAN FM, PM TO ADDRESS UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION
NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS: Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian held
several bilateral meetings on his first working day in New York, where he is
accompanying Prime Minister Andranik Margarian to the 60th anniversary of
the UN General Assembly.
On Thursday, the Foreign Minister met with Benita Ferrero-Waldner,
European Union Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood
Policy. They spoke about the ENP. The Minister briefed the Commissioner on
the current state of negotiations regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Minister Oskanian also met with George Iacovou, Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Cyprus. They discussed regional issues as well as cooperation in
international organizations. Later, Minister Oskanian met with Ahmed Aboul
Gheit, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt. Minister Oskanian presented to
Minister Aboul Gheit President Kocharian’s letter of congratulations to
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The two discussed developments in the
Middle East, and in the Caucasus.
Minister Oskanian spoke with Pierre Chevalier, Belgium’s special envoy to
the OSCE. The Minister explained Armenia’s cooperation with the OSCE at
various levels, expressing Armenia’s appreciation for OSCE support in
various areas, including democratic development, regional development. The
Minister briefed Ambassador Chevalier on the ongoing Karabakh talks and
prospects for a resolution. In the margins of the UN General Assembly, the
Francophonie Association held a high level meeting. Minister Oskanian
participated in the meeting which focused on ways the developed world can
help the developing world to alleviate poverty.
The Minister also held a working meeting with OSCE Minsk Group US
co-chair Ambassador Steven Mann. Meantime Prime Minister Margarian met with
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad. Government press service said the two
men assessed highly friendly bilateral relations between Iran and Armenia.
Margarian was quoted as saying that Armenia and Iran have no political
problems, and that their economic ties were developing steadily. Margarian
also praised Iran’s balanced policy towards Armenia since it became
independent, saying it played a positive role in terms of bringing stability
to the region.
Ahmedinejad was quoted as saying that friendship with Armenia stems from
Iran’s political course. He also stressed the need for boosting bilateral
trade. The same day Margarian signed on behalf of Armenia the International
Convention on Elimination of Terrorist Nuclear Actions.
Margarian also met UNICEF executive director. Prime Minister Margarian
will address the General Assembly on Friday, September 16, and Foreign
Minister Oskanian will do so on Sunday, September 18.