‘FOOTBALL DIPLOMACY PROMISES TO BEAR FRUIT’: NALBANDIAN AT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Tert.am
29.09.09

Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Armenia Edward Nalbandian
was in attendance at the 64th session of the UN General Assembly,
held in New York this week.

In his speech, Nalbandian said that long-term cooperation and stability
in the South Caucasus is secured by trust and accountability among
neighbouring countries. He continued by saying:

"Our region, in fact, is among the most sensitive hot spots on the
world’s political map overloaded with almost a full set of security
threats and challenges. The region is devastated by conflicts and
interstate tensions, dividing lines and economic blockade. Closed
borders and ruptured ties have become the norm of life. However, a
courageous act and a courageous response hold the promise of changing
the situation to the better."

In particular, Nalbandian referred to ‘Football Diplomacy’:

"The process of the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations
that started by the initiative of the President of Armenia Serzh
Sargsyan last September, known as ‘football diplomacy,’ promises to
bear fruit despite all difficulties."

Finally, Nalbandian concluded his UN speech by referring to the hot
topic of the day: establishing Armenia-Turkey relations. Armenia’s
foreign minister specifically stressed "NO preconditions" (caps in
original text):

"Over the past year with the help of our Swiss mediators and other
international partners we have advanced towards opening one of the
last closed borders in Europe and normalization of our relations
with NO preconditions. We wish to be confident that the necessary
political will can eventually leave behind the mentality of the past,
and we hope that the wisdom and courage will prevail to make the last
decisive steps.

"We have been most encouraged by the support of the international
community. We are well aware of the fundamental and positive
implications of the normalization of Armenian-Turkis d stability of
the region."