NA SPEAKER RECEIVES OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIR MATTHEW BRYZA
National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia
Jan 21 2009
On January 20 RA NA President Mr Hovik Abrahamyan received U.S. Deputy
Assistant Secretary of State, OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Mr Matthew
Bryza at the latter’s request. U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Ms Marie
L. Yovanovitch attended the meeting.
Mr Bryza congratulated Mr Hovik Abrahamyan on the election in the
office of NA Speaker and wished success, emphasizing the role of the
parliament in the development of the democracy of the country.
Welcoming the guests Mr Abrahamyan highlighted the further development
and strengthening of the Armenian-American relations. The NA President
noted that the National Assembly should be a rostrum of pluralism
and constructive criticism for all political forces.
Touching upon the problem of the settlement of the core issue the
NA President re-affirmed the position of Armenia for the peaceful
settlement of the issue, at the same time drawing attention to the
bellicose calls of Azerbaijan, which do not promote the peaceful
settlement process. Mr Abrahamyan highlighted in the context of the
settlement of the issue the priority of the right of the nations’
self-determination: the land connection of Karabakh with Armenia and
the international guarantees of the NKR people’s security, as well as
the participation of the NKR authorities’ negotiation process. The
NA President highly assessed the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group in
the direction of the peaceful settlement of the problem, highlighting
the solution of the issue within OSCE framework.
In the context of the regional peace and security Mr Abrahamyan
considered important the Armenian-Turkish dialogue and the development
of the relations with all neighbouring countries.
Touching upon the activity of the Ad-Hoc Inquiry Committee on the
Events Occurred on 1-2 March 2008 in Yerevan and Their Reasons and
the Fact-finding Group, the NA President highlighted the introduction
of unbiased and objective conclusion, which would promote the public
dialogue and the restoration of the atmosphere of confidence in the
country. The sides touched upon the procedure of the fulfillment of
PACE 1609 and 1620 resolutions.
Mr Bryza welcomed the activity of the Ad-Hoc Inquiry Committee on
the Events Occurred on 1-2 March 2008 in Yerevan and Their Reasons
and the Fact-finding Group, highlighting the necessity of introducing
the complete and unbiased conclusion to the public.
Mr Bryza noted with assessment the brave initiative of RA President
Mr Serzh Sargsyan by inviting the President of Turkey Mr Abdullah
Gul to Armenia.
The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair emphasized with satisfaction the
constructive inclination of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
directed to the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh issue, noting
that the Co-Chairs see the solution of the issue only by peaceful
settlement. Mr Bryza also highlighted the NKR participation in the
negotiation process.
At the end of the meeting the issue of the continuity of the Millennium
Challenge Corporation was discussed in detail. The sides also touched
upon other issues of bilateral interest.