BRYZA DISCUSSED MARCH 1 ISSUE TOO

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[08:48 pm] 20 January, 2009

Chairman of the RA National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan met with
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian
Affairs, Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza upon his
request. The U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch was also
present during the meeting. Touching upon the issue of the Karabakh
conflict settlement, the NA Chairman reaffirmed Armenia’s position
for a peaceful settlement of the conflict and drew attention to
the bellicose statements made by Azerbaijan. According to the press
release of the department for public relations of the RA National
Assembly, Mr. Abrahamyan attached importance to the right of nations
to self-determination in the context of the conflict settlement,
the land connection between Armenia and Karabakh and international
guarantees for the security of the people of Karabakh, as well as
the participation of Nagorno-Karabakh authorities in the peace
talks. The NA Chairman praised the combined efforts of the OSCE
Minsk Group Co-chairs aimed at the peaceful settlement and attached
importance to the solution in the framework of the OSCE. Touching
upon the events of March 1-2 and the activities of the NA Ad-Hoc
Committee and the Fact-Finding Group, the NA Chairman attached
importance to the objective conclusion, which will contribute to
public dialogue and restoration of confidence in the country. The
sides also touched upon the fulfillment of PACE resolutions 1609 and
1620. Mr. Bryza welcomed the work of the NA Ad-Hoc Committee into the
events that took place in Yerevan on March 1-2 and the Fact-Finding
Group stressing the importance of presenting the people complete
and objective conclusions. The Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group
underscored with content that the Armenian and Azeri presidents show a
constructive approach towards the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh
conflict. Mr. Bryza also stressed the importance of the participation
of Nagorno-Karabakh in the negotiations. At the end of the meeting,
it was also discussed in detail the issue of the continuation of the
"Millennium Challenges" program and the sides touched upon other
issues of mutual interest.