FOREIGN MINISTER OF ARMENIA EDWARD NALBANDIAN VISITS DAMASCUS
Foreign Ministry
Feb 27 2009
Armenia
On February 26, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian who was
in Damascus with an official visit met the President of the Syrian
Arab Republic Bashar al-Assad.
Welcoming Armenian Foreign Minister, Syrian President said that Syria
attaches importance to the development of broad relations with Armenia
and stressed that there is an appropriate political will and a solid
legal field for that.
Edward Nalbandian handed over the Address of the President of Armenia
to the President of Syria, which contained the invitation to visit
Armenia. Minister Nalbandian said that our Armenia is interested in
expansion and strengthening of mutually beneficial cooperation with
Syria – one of the leading countries in the Arab world, underlining
that his visit to Damascus is aimed at the reiteration of that.
President al-Assad and Minister Nalbadian exchanged views on the
settlement of issues existing in the Middle East. Armenian Foreign
Minister presented to the President of Syria the negotiation process on
the settlement of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) issue and possibilities
of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations. President al-Assad
welcomed Armenia’s steps towards normalization of relations with Turkey
and expressed confidence that they it will promote the reinforcement
of stability and security in the region. President al-Assad asked to
deliver his greetings to the President of Armenia and inform that he
accepts the invitation and will visit Armenia during this year.
In the course of the meeting with his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem
Armenian Foreign Minister had a detailed discussion on the issues
concerning further development of bilateral relations.
The two expressed satisfaction on the effective cooperation
between the two countries within different formats and activity of
intergovernmental commission.
Ministers Nalbandian and Muallim discussed the strengthening of
security in the regions of the Middle East and the South Caucasus. They
also had a discussion on issues concerning cooperation within the
frameworks of international organizations.
During the meeting, the Foreign Ministers reached agreement on the
new building of Armenian Embassy in Damascus, which will be provided
by the Syrian Government.
Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Syria signed an Agreement on mutual
abolishment of visa requirement for holders of diplomatic and official
passports.
The meeting between Foreign Ministers was followed by the joint press
conference with participation of leading Medias of the Arab world.
In the evening, Armenian Foreign Minister met with the leaders of
Armenian organizations of Damascus, the Heads of the Diocese of
Damascus of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Armenian Catholic
Church and the Armenian Evangelical Church.
Concluding his regional visit to the Middle East countries Foreign
Minister of Armenia returned Yerevan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
