EDWARD NALBANDYAN HOLDS MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON
ARMENPRESS
MAY 6, 2009
YEREVAN
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan met May 5 in Washington
with the US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.
Foreign Ministry press service told Armenpress that greeting Edward
Nalbandyan, the US State Secretary said that the relationship between
the United States and Armenia is a very lasting and durable one
and the Barack Obama Administration is committed to broadening and
deepening it.
E. Nalbandyan, expressing gratitude for the invitation to visit
Washington, pointed out that Armenia is determined to strengthen,
to deepen, to enhance friendly partnership with the United States.
During the meeting the sides discussed a wide-range of issues on
bilateral relations, opportunities of development economic partnership,
referred to the coming Armenian-US inter-governmental commission in
Yerevan, discussed a number of regional and international issues.
The interlocutors also discussed the process of normalization of
Armenian-Turkish relations. Hilary Clinton assessed the April 22
statement of Armenian and Turkish foreign ministries as historic and
reiterated the position of the United States to continue displaying
support for the full regulation of Armenian-Turkish relations.
The sides also spoke about the recent developments in the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict regulation process and referred to the coming meeting
of the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents. Hilary Clinton pointed out
the necessity of the peaceful regulation of Karabakh conflict and noted
that as OSCE Minsk group co-chairing country USA will continue its full
support to the sides in achieving agreement and settling the conflict
which on its turn will create new opportunities for the development
of the South Caucasian region, consolidation of stability and security.
Edward Nalbandyan presented to the US State Secretary the pace
of reforms going on in Armenia and the steps undertaken in that
direction. The Armenian minister invited Hilary Clinton to visit
Armenia.
On the same day Armenian foreign minister met in the White House
with the Consultant General of US President on National Security
Issues James Johns. During the meeting the sides discussed issues on
the Armenian-US cooperation in different spheres, ensuring regional
security.
J. Johns highly assessed Armenia’s participation in peacekeeping
activity and its contribution to ensuring international
security. During the meetings the sides talked in details about the
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations and regulation of the
Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
At the meeting with the chairman of the Foreign Relations Commission of
the House of Representatives Howard Berman, Armenian foreign minister
presented the main directions and priorities of the Armenia’s foreign
policy.
On May 4 Edward Nalbandyan visited US Congress where he met with the
co-chairs of the Armenian Caucus Frank Pallone, Mark Kirk, congressmen
Anna Ashew, Steve Rotman and Scott Gareth.
Edward Nalbandyan also met with the US Assistant State Secretary
Daniel Fried and discussed ways of development of Armenian-US
relations. During the meeting with the head of the "Millennium
Challenges" Corporation Rodney Bent, Edward Nalbandyan discussed issues
on continuation of Corporation’s programs carried out in Armenia.
In Armenian embassy in Washington, the foreign minister conducted
working consultation, discussed prior issues of the Armenia’s foreign
policy and gave relevant assignments.
The Armenian foreign minister also met with the representatives of
the American-Armenian community.
On May 5, wrapping up his visit to USA, Edward Nalbandyan left for
Prague where, in the delegation of Armenian President, will participate
in the Eastern Partnership Summit.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
