RA FOREIGN MINISTER TAKES PART IN 119TH SITTING OF COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE IN MADRID
Noyan Tapan
May 13, 2009
MADRID, MAY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian took
part in the 119th sitting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council
of Europe on May 12 in Madrid held within the framework of the events
of 60th anniversary of Council of Europe establishment. High-ranking
delegations of 47 Council of Europe member countries, 5 observer
countries and international organizations, chairmen of PACE and
European Court of Human Rights took part in the sitting of the
Committee of Ministers.
Prince of Spain Felipe gave a greeting speech at the sitting opening.
Issues regarding various spheres of Council of Europe activity were on
the agenda of sitting of the Committee of Ministers. The preparatory
activities of Council of Europe Secretary General’s elections and
interim methods of using the 14th protocol of European Convention
of Human Rights that would permit to raise efficiency of activity of
European Court of Human Rights were discussed at the sitting.
In his speech at the Committee of Ministers sitting E. Nalbandian
emphasized Council of Europe’s stable role in the issue of building
a peaceful continent. E. Nalbandian said that Artsakh people’s
concern to provide its security was the basis of the legal demand
of self-determination right, and Azerbaijan opposed force, ethnic
cleansings to it, then launched a large-scale aggression against
Karabakh by involving hirelings connected with terrorist groups.
Speaking about the negotiations process of conflict settlement,
E. Nalbandian said that in 2001 the sides were rather close to
settlement, but because of Azerbaijan’s non-constructive position and
its rejecting the reached agreements it was not fulfilled. Azerbaijan’s
non-constructive approach also had a continuation in 2007, in the form
of denying for months running even the existence of Madrid proposals
presented by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs.
Estimating as signs of progress in the peaceful process the meetings
of RA and Azeri Presidents, the declarations and statements adopted
in Moscow and Helsinki in 2008, E. Nalbandian expressed the hope that
if Azerbaijan’s leadership renounces its non-constructive approaches
and stops its bellicose and anti-Armenian agitation, the negotiations
proceeding within the framework of the Minsk Group can bring closer
sides’ positions and result in problem’s settlement.
At the meeting with Foreign Minister of Slovenia Samuel Zbogar held
the same day E. Nalbandian congratulated his counterpart on the
occasion of assuming Council of Europe chairmanship and expressed
readiness to provide assistance to the Slovenian chairmanship. Issues
regarding strengthening of bilateral relations, expansion of the
legal-contractual sphere, Council of Europe activity, and a number
of regional issues were discussed at the meeting. The EU Eastern
Partnership program was also touched upon at the meeting.
Ways of further expansion of bilateral relations were discussed
at the meeting of E. Nalbandian and Foreign Minister of Lithuania
Vygaudas Usackas.
They exchanged thoughts about the world financial-economic crisis
and mitigation of its consequences.
Bilateral and regional issues were discussed at the meeting with
Foreign Minister of Switzerland Micheline Calmy-Rey. They also touched
upon the normalization process of Armenian-Turkish relations.
Steps to be undertaken for the purpose of deepening Armenia-Portugal
bilateral relations were on the agenda of the meeting with
Secretary of State for European Affairs of Portugal Teresa
Ribeiro. The Ministers emphasized the necessity of expanding the
legal-contractual sphere. They also touched upon cooperation at
European and international organizations.
A detailed talk on further development of bilateral relations,
Nagorno Karabakh settlement took place at E. Nalbandian’s meeting
with Foreign Minister of Hungary Peter Balazs.
E. Nalbandian also met with Foreign Minister of Serbia Vuk
Jeremic. Issues related to development ways of bilateral relations,
organization of high-ranking visits were discussed at the meeting. The
Ministers also touched upon expansion of cooperation at international
organizations.
According to the RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department,
completing his visit to Madrid the RA Foreign Minister returned
to Armenia.