RA FOREIGN MINISTER’S VISIT TO POLAND STARTS

Noyan Tapan
Feb 16, 2009

WARSAW, FEBRUARY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Azerbaijan’s disregarding the
provisions stipulated by documents signed by Azerbaijan’s leaders,
its permanent bellicose statements, arms race, obvious violations of
the limitations envisaged by the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in
Europe, attempts to justify possible use of force and its grounding,
agitation sowing hatred between nations not only put obstacles for
the negotiations process, but also are a serious threat for regional
stability and security, which demands an adequate response by the
international community. RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian stated
in his speech on Armenia’s foreign policy on February 16 at University
of Warsaw.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry Press and
Information Department, before that E. Nalbandian had a meeting with
Foreign Minister of Poland Radoslaw Sikorski.

The RA and Polish Foreign Ministers had a meaningful conversation on
the cooperation process between Armenia and European Union and steps
to be taken in that sphere. Welcoming the EU Eastern Partnership
proposal, E. Nalbandian attached importance to the steps to be taken
to sign a free trade agreement with EU, as well as to facilitate the
entrance visa regime to EU countries and Poland’s possible assistance
in that issue.

E. Nalbandian presented the Polish Foreign Minister with the latest
developments in the Nagorno Karabakh settlement negotiations and
possibilities of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations. It
was mutually mentioned that the Nagorno Karabakh peaceful political
settlement has no alternative.

E. Nalbandian and R. Sikorski attached importance to holding of
regular consultations between the two countries’ Foreign Ministries
as one more format of efficient cooperation.

Steps to be taken to deepen cooperation in the spheres of economy,
education, and culture were also discussed at the meeting. In
particular, thoughts on development ways of trade and economic
relations and on doing cultural exchanges were exchanged.

Negotiations in an enlarged staff took place after the two countries’
Foreign Ministers’ tete-a-tete talk. A wide range of issues regarding
Armenian-Polish relations, regional and international issues were
discussed during the negotiations.

After the meeting E. Nalbandian and R. Sikorski signed a memorandum
on cooperation between RA and Polish Foreign Ministries in the sphere
of rapprochement with Europe.

Edward Nalbandian’s meetings with Polish President Lech Kaczynski,
Polish Sejm Speaker Bronislaw Komorowski, and Senate Chairman Bogdan
Borusewicz are scheduled for February 17.