ARMENIAN FM CONTINUES HIS MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON

ARMENPRESS
JULY 16

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian delivered speech on July
15 in Washington at the "Karnegin" Foundation. The speech referred
to Armenia’s foreign policy.

Armenian Foreign Ministry press service told Armenpress
that in his speech E. Nalbandian particularly referred to the
Armenian-U.S. relations, issues on ensuring stability and security in
the South Caucasian region, process of Karabakh conflict regulation and
Armenian-Turkish relations. Afterwards the foreign minister answered
to a number of questions connected with Armenia’s foreign policy.

Armenian foreign minister met with the U.S. Assistant State Secretary
on Human Rights David Cramer. During the meeting the sides discussed
a number of issues connected with the processes which take place in
Armenia for consolidation of democracy.

Minister Nalbandian, presented the steps the Armenian authorities
are carrying out towards the implementation of PACE 1609 and 1620
resolutions and noted that democratic reforms are the choice of
Armenia and the country’s leadership is resolute in continuing to
deepen the process.

D. Cramer shared the opinion of Nalbandian and said that as Armenia’s
friend USA wants it to overcome the created difficulties and continue
the development of democracy. He added that USA is ready to support
Armenia in doing it.

At the meeting with the director of "Millennium Challenges"
corporation John Danilovich, E. Nalbandian discussed issues connected
with re-starting the programs carried out in Armenia. The minister
underscored their economic and political importance in the pre-context
of Armenian-U.S. bilateral relations.

Ambassador Danilovich said that the specialists of the corporation
effectively assess the joint work carried out in Armenia and expressed
hope that in September the executive board of "Millennium Challenges"
corporation will have an opportunity to re-confirm that Armenia
corresponds to the standards of the corporation.

Armenian Foreign Minister noted that Armenian government has decided
in its last session to release 17 million USD with the aim of
implementation of the commitment assumed by "Millennium Challenges
Foundation-Armenia" for the construction of inter-village roads,
which, the minister said, is another expression of determination of
the Armenian authorities to promote the continuation of the program.

On the same day E. Nalbandian visited U.S. Congress where he met
with the Congressman Joseph Knollenberg of the U.S. Congress’ House
of Representatives Armenian Caucus and its members.

Armenian foreign minister thanked the congressmen for their activity
and underscored the role of the caucus in the consolidation of
Armenian-U.S. relations.

With the request of the congressmen the minister presented the recent
developments over Nagorno Karabakh conflict regulation, Armenia’s
approaches towards the prospect of regulation of Armenian-Turkish
relations as well as democratic reforms taking place in Armenia.