ARMENIAN FM, US ASSISTANT SECRETARY TALK KARABAKH, UKRAINE, MIDDLE EAST

17:33, 18 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received Victoria Nuland,
US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.

Minister Nalbandian hailed the friendly partnership established
between Armenia and the United States, which has expanded over time.

He voiced hope that the bilateral cooperation would further reinforce
and deepen thanks to joint efforts.

Victoria Nuland noted, in turn, that the United States attaches great
importance to the development of cooperation with Armenia in different
fields and is willing to take efforts in that direction.

During the meeting the parties discussed the joint steps to be taken
towards expansion of bilateral relations. The political dialogue and
cooperation on the international arena were on the agenda of the talks.

Edward Nalbandian and Victoria Nuland praised the fact that the
Armenian-American cooperation embraces important fields such as
international and regional security, peacekeeping, non-proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction, fighting terrorism. The Assistant
Secretary expressed gratitude for Armenia’s active participation in
international peacekeeping missions.

Victoria Nuland emphasized Armenia’s achievements in the spheres of
democratization, reinforcement of civil society, economic reforms
and many others.

Reference was made to the perspectives of development of economic
cooperation, the implementation of joint projects, promotion of
investments.

Minister Nalbandian underlined that the US has provided considerable
support to the development of Armenia and the ongoing reforms in
the country ever since itsindependence. He noted that the assistance
programs have grown into cooperation and development programs over
time.

The parties hailed the agreement on facilitation of the visa regime
reached between the Armenian Foreign Minister and the US Secretary
of State in 2013.

The interlocutors exchanged views on urgent international issues,
namely the Ukraine crisis, the developments in the Middle East.

As for the Karabakh issue, the Armenian Foreign Minister and the
US Assistant Secretary agreed that all efforts should be taken to
solve the conflict exceptionally in a peaceful way on the basis
of the principles of international law – non-use of force or the
threat of force, territorial integrity and the right of peoples to
self-determination. Minister Nalbandian attached importance to the
US role and contribution to the process as a Minsk Group Co-Chairing
country.

Edward Nalbandian asked to convey his warm greetings to Secretary
Kerry and reiterated his invitation to the latter to visit Armenia.