ACCORDING TO RA MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, ARMENIA WILL CONTINUE ITS CONSISTENT EFFORT TOWARDS DEVELOPING INCREASED TIES WITH EUROPE

Noyan Tapan
April 18, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 18, NOYAN TAPAN. "Armenia will continue its consistent
effort towards developing increased ties with the Europe, on the basis
of the commitments undertaken within the framework of cooperation with
the European organizations and the common values, which we share." This
statement was made by Eduard Nalbandian, the newly-appointed Minister
of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, in his interview with
the Mediamax agency.

The MInister mentioned that Armenia attaches great importance to
the relations with those immediate neighboring states, with which
it is engaged in a friendly cooperation, and is ready to exert every
effort to improve the relations with those of its neighbors with whom
problems still exist.

According to Eduard Nalbandian, the special strategic cooperation
of Armenia with Russia will continue to strengthen based on the
traditional ties of the two peoples. Armenia will also be after the
development and deepening of the friendly cooperation with the United
States of America.

Touching upon the problem of Nagorno Karabakh, the Minister reaffirmed
Armenia’s commitment to continue the existing process in order to reach
a solution. "However, our readiness alone is not enough. Azerbaijan’s
readiness is also needed for reaching a settlement.

I would like to believe that, together with my Azerbaijani counterpart,
we will demonstrate due responsibility, put aside the practice of
communicating through the media and declarations, and of giving public
lessons and advise," Eduard Nalbandian has said. He has also mentioned
that it is impossible to call for compromise and, at the same time,
make militant statements and openly prepare for a war.

According to the RA Minister of Foreign Affairs, the key issue of
the negotiations is the status of Nagorno Karabagh and it should be
resolved through the peace process, on the basis of a plebiscite,
which will give the people of Karabagh an opportunity for a free
expression of their will. This is the essence of the current stage of
negotiations. In the opinion of Eduard Nalbandian, there is a window of
opportunity today, and a solution can be reached with a political will.

Commenting on the current stage of the Armenian-Turkish relations and
the prospects thereof, the RA Minister of Foreign Affairs has said:
"With regard to our relations with Turkey, we have, on various
occasions, expressed our readiness to normalize them without any
precondition.

The Genocide is a dark page of our common history and together,
we have to turn this page, and together must we build a secure future."