MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
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PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Government House # 2, Republic Square
Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: press@mfa.am

PRESS RELEASE

06-03-2007
Foreign Minister Oskanian Concludes Washington Visit

Armenia’s Foreign Minister, Vartan Oskanian, spent Monday March 5 in
Washington, visiting with members of the US administration as well as
US congressmen.

His first meeting was with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, with
whom the Minister discussed various items on the Armenia-US agenda,
including trade, the Millennium Challenge program, democratic and
economic reforms, and US assistance to Armenia.

The two also discussed the upcoming Parliamentary election. The
Secretary made clear that the US expects that the elections will be
conducted according to international norms and standards. The Foreign
Minister assured the Secretary that Armenia understands the
significance of the upcoming parliamentary elections, within the
context of Armenia’s internal political development, as well as an
indication of the maturity of democratic processes within Armenia, and
the impact of the conduct of the elections on various assistance
programs with the US and the EU.

Minister Oskanian briefed the Secretary on the current status of the
Nagorno Karabakh resolution process, as well as on Armenia’s relations
with Turkey. On Nagorno Karabakh, the Minister reiterated Armenia’s
firm commitment to the principles currently being negotiated, and
expressed concerns that there may be attempts to deviate from this
process, both in content and in procedure.

Regarding the continuing absence of relations with Turkey, the
Minister repeated Armenia’s readiness to establish relations with
Turkey, without preconditions of any sort. The Minister reiterated
that open borders would greatly affect the environment in the region,
and spur regional cooperation and growth.

The two also discussed the pending Genocide resolution in the US
Congress.

Following the meeting with the Secretary, Minister Oskanian met with
US Assistant Undersecretary of State and US Minsk Group co-chair Matt
Bryza. The two discussed Nagorno Karabakh and the upcoming meeting of
the ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, in Geneva, on March 14,
together with the co-chairs of the Minsk Group.

Later in the day, with the co-chairs of the Congressional Armenian
Caucus, Minister Oskanian outlined the broad US-Armenia agenda, and
ways in which Congress can play a role. During the meeting, the
Genocide issue was also discussed. In referring to the pending
Genocide reaffirmation resolution, the Minister explained, "The
Armenian government, in contrast to the leadership in Ankara, does not
seek to lecture elected American officials on this core human rights
issue. Sadly, the Turkish government continues to export its policy of
genocide denial, seeking to impose upon the US and other nations the
very intolerance that inspired Section 301 and led to the murder of
journalist Hrant Dink. This should not be tolerated by any individual
or any country. The Armenian government has faith in the American
democratic process and respects the integrity of US Congressional
decision-making."

During his visit, the Minister also met with representatives of
Armenian advocacy groups in Washington and shared thoughts on current
issues.