LEBANESE PREMIER TO VISIT ARMENIA

news.am
April 13 2010
Armenia

Armenia is ready to establish relations with Turkey without any
preconditions, though it is delaying the ratification of the protocols,
Speaker of the RA Parliament Hovik Abrahamyan stated at his meeting
with President of Lebanon Michel Suleiman.

The press service of the RA Parliament informed NEWS.am that Speaker
Abrahamyan pointed out the unacceptability of Turkey’s linking the
ratification of the protocols to the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.

Armenia is ready to establish normal relations with all of its
neighbors, without, however, destroying the Armenian people’s dignity.

The Lebanese President underlined the importance of normalizing
relations with neighbors by diplomatic means. He also stressed the
unacceptability of violating small peoples’ rights.

Speaking of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, Hovik Abrahamyan
underlined the necessity for settling the conflict following the
principle of peoples’ right to self-determination. He stressed that
Nagorno-Karabakh cannot be part of Azerbaijan.

The sides also discussed bilateral cooperation and regional problems,
pointing out the need for intensifying bilateral cooperation in
ensuring regional peace and stability.

Speaker Abrahamyan also held a meeting with Lebanese Prime
Minister Saad Hariri. The sides discussed the issue of holding an
Armenian-Lebanese business forum during Hariri’s visit to Armenia
scheduled for this September.

Hovik Abrahamyan held meetings with the Lebanese Foreign Minister and
with Mayor of Baalbek. He laid flowers at the grave of the assassinated
Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri and met with representatives of the
Armenian community.