MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
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PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext. 202
Fax: +37410. 565601
Email: press@mfa.am

PRESS RELEASE

175-06-05-2008

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian has a Meeting with f French
Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in Paris

The first official meeting of Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian
and French Foreign Minister, Minister of European Affairs Bernard Kouchner
took place on May 5 in Paris. During the meeting the ministers discussed
bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The Ministers praised the current level of bilateral relationship, which is
a solid basis for further development of the interstate cooperation in all
areas. The two agreed to deepen cooperation in bilateral, European and
international formats.

Edward Nalbandian presented to Bernard Kouchner policy priorities of the
Armenian Governmental coalition, formed after presidential elections, as
well as Armenia’s position on the regional security, the resolution of
existing conflicts and the development of the cooperation. In this context,
a special attention was paid to the Nagorno Karabakh problem settlement
process and its perspectives. Minister Nalbandian reiterated Armenia’s
willingness to continue the negotiations on the basis of the proposals of
the OSCE Minsk group Co-chairs and appreciated their efforts in this
process.
Armenian and French Foreign Ministers also discussed Armenia’s relations
with the European Union in the context of French Presidency of EU in the
second half of this year.

At the end of the meeting Minister Nalbandian invited Minister Kouchner to
visit Yerevan. The invitation was accepted.

Right after the meeting a press conference was held in French Foreign
Ministry. Answering to the questions of the journalists the Armenian
Minister confirmed Armenia’s willingness towards the peaceful settlement of
the Karabakh problem and stated," Today there is a strong need of
establishment of mutual trust between the sides and creation of a
constructive atmosphere for the negotiations. Today there is a strong need
to confirm that there is no alternative to peaceful and negotiated
resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. Tomorrow I will meet
my Azerbaijani colleague in Strasburg and I hope to continue the
constructive dialogue to find ways of solution to the problem with the help
of the mediators".

Commenting on Armenian-Turkish relations, Minister Nalbandian stated that
the present generation of the two nations has a heavy heritage from the
past, and in order to turn over that black page the political leaders
should take joint steps. "Armenia is ready to establish relations without
any precondition, This will beneficial for the whole region and our
peoples",
stated Mr. Nalbandian.

In the evening of the same day Edward Nalbandian left for Strasburg to take
part in the 118th session of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers.

Later today in Strasbourg Minister Nalbandian will meet Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk group. -0-