UN SECRETARY GENERAL AND RA FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSS ISSUES RELATING TO NAGORNO KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
March 5 2007

EREVAN, MARCH 5, NOYAN TAPAN. On March 2, the day of 15th anniversary
of Armenia’s joining UN, RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met with
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the UN General Headquarters in
New York.

Congratulating Ban Ki-moon on the occasion of being elected as
UN Secretary General, the Minister said that Armenia efficiently
cooperates with various UN structures in Armenia.

As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA Foreign Ministry Press and
Information Department, V. Oskanian noted that parallel with RA
government’s poverty reduction strategy, a new program is being
elaborated with involvement of international organizations, Diaspora
and country’s internal resources, which will be aimed at liquidation
of rural poverty.

RA Foreign Minister and Secretary General also touched upon the
last developments in the South Caucasian region and the process of
settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Presenting the developments of
the current stage of negotiations, Minister Oskanian emphasized that
the right of Nagorno Karabakh people’s self-determination is their
basis. In this context Minister Oskanian explained that the efforts
aimed at voicing statements not corresponding or contradicting reality
in UN or other instances will damage the process and will postpone
long-lasting settlement.