ARMENIAN LEADER DISCUSSES WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES WITH US OFFICIAL – TV

Public Television of Armenia
Oct 17 2008

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan today met US Assistant Secretary
of State Daniel Fried.

Sargsyan said Armenia is interested in deepening relations with the USA
and considers them to be an important factor in strengthening economic
development, democracy and regional stability. The parties discussed
Armenian-US cooperation, prospects of development as well as regional
security, Armenian-Turkish relations, and the Karabakh settlement. They
described the talks in the format of the OSCE Minsk Group as the
most effective format. They also agreed that the settlement should
be based on the fundamental principles of international law.

They also discussed the possibilities to improve Armenian-Turkish
relations, the post-election developments in Armenia, the need for
an objective investigation into the 1 March events, and people in
custody. The strengthening of democratic institutions was deemed to
be crucial.