Press and Information Department
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Armenia
Tel. + 37410 544041. ext. 202
Fax. + 37410 565601
e-mail: press@mfa.am
web:
The Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian, within the
framework of his to Paris, met with Bernard Kouchner, visited the
Senate and the National Assembly of France, delivered a speech at the
International Diplomatic Academy
On March 11, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian had a
meeting with Foreign Minister of France Bernard Kouchner.
Ministers Nalbandian and Kouchner highly appreciated friendly and
excellent relations established between Armenia and France and
attached importance to the undertaken steps aimed at the further
development of comprehensive cooperation between two countries.
In the context of discussions on the maintenance of security in the
South Caucasus region Armenian Foreign Minister welcomed the efforts
of President Nicolas Sarkozy and the French diplomacy toward the
establishment of peace and security in the Caucasus during the
presidency of France in the EU.
The two had a detailed discussion on Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) peace
process. They both stressed the exclusion of alternative to the
settlement of the issue through peace negotiations. Edward Nalbandian
highly appreciated the constructive involvement of France the
settlement porcess as the Minsk Group Co-Chair country.
Edward Nalbandian invited Bernard Kouchner to visit Armenia.
On the same day Edward Nalbandian had a meeting with Jean-David
Levitte, the French President’s adviser on diplomatic and political
issues. In the course of the meeting a wide range of issues on
enhancement of friendly cooperation between Armenia and France were
discussed. The two expressed satisfaction on high level relations
between Armenian-French. They discussed actual issues concerning
Armenia – EU cooperation, regional and international
relations. Minister Nalbandian appreciated the constructive
participation of France in the reestablishment of peace and stability
in the South Caucasus during her presidency in the EU at the second
part of 2008.
In the French Senate which is situated in the Luxembourg Palace
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met with the members of
the French-Armenian friendship group of the Senate. In the course of
the talks Minister Nalbandian and the French Senators attached
importance to the activation of parliamentary ties, with mutual visits
of friendly groups and parliamentary leadership. They discussed the
issues concerning rapprochement of cooperation between the Armenian
and French delegations in the Parliamentary Assemblies of the
international organizations.
On the same day Edward Nalbandian visited the National Assembly of
France where he had a meeting with the members of France – Armenia
friendship group. During the meeting Minister Nalbandian touched upon
parliamentary diplomacy as an effective format for deepening of
comprehensive partnership between Armenia and France.
After the meeting with the members of the Parliamentary group Armenian
Foreign Minister delivered a speech before the Committee of Foreign
Affairs of French National Assembly. In his speech Edward Nalbandian
attached importance to the Armenian-French relations and defined them
as an example of friendly partnership. Armenian Foreign Minister also
touched upon the cooperation between Armenia and the European Union
stressing that the European New Neighbourhood Policy Program and the
EU Eastern Partnership proposal create new opportunities for
cooperation. Minister Nalbandian also presented in details Armenia’s
steps aimed at the strengthening of security and stability in the
South Caucasus.
On March 10, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian had a meeting
with the French former-president Jacques Chirac. During the meeting
which passed in warm and cordial atmosphere they touched upon the
Armenian-French relations and their development
perspectives. President Chirac and Minister Nalbandian discussed
regional and international issues. President Chirac remembered with
pleasure his visit to Yerevan in 2006 and said that in the case of
opportunity will visit Armenia again.
On the same day Edward Nalbandian visited International Diplomatic
Academy of France where he delivered a comprehensive speech on "The
South Caucasus: the reality and perspectives". Politicians and
statesmen, Ambassadors and diplomats, political scientists and experts
on International Relations, journalists also attended the meeting.
Armenian Foreign Minister touched upon the settlement of Artsakh
(Nagorno Karabakh) issue and invited their attention on Azerbiajan’s
militaristic and non-constructive policy. According his words in the
time when the wounds of the previous war unleashed by Azerbaijan have
not yet been cured Baku carries out a policy which provokes a new
war. Within the framework of the UN the Azerbaijani side puts into
circulation such documents which not only negatively influence the
negotiation process but also tries to justify the possible use of
force.
Speaking about the process aimed at the establishment of normal
relations between Armenia and Turkey Edward Nalbandian said that
crucial meeting between Serzh Sargsyan and Abdullah Gul held in
Yerevan created opportunity to start negotiations which are in the
interest of two countries and nations and are aimed not only at the
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations but also make an important
contribution in maintenance of regional security and
stability. Armenian Foreign Minister mentioned that he is optimistic
over normalization of relations as his meetings with Ali Babacan are
constructive and promising.
Answering the question that there are statements in Turkey according
to which if Washington recognizes the Armenian Genocide it could harm
the process of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations Edward
Nalbadian said that the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations
can not dispute the fact of the Armenian Genocide and if the Armenian
and Turkish sides have political will and honestly seek to normalize
relations then no circumstance can hamper that process.
In International Diplomatic Academy Armenian Foreign Minister also
answered the questions on cooperation between Armenian and the
European Union, strengthening of stability and cooperation in the
Caucasus, Armenian – Iranian and Armenian – Georgian relations and
other numerous questions.
On March 10 in the evening, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian met with the heads of the French leading News Agencies. In
the course of the meeting they had a detailed exchange of views on
current issues of international relations, strengthening of security
and stability in the South Caucasus.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress