Edward Nalbandian: There is no alternative to the peaceful and
negotiated solution to the Karabakh issue
armradio.am
06.05.2008 14:01
On May 5 in Paris RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian had his first
official meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European
Cooperation of France Bernard Kouchner. During the meeting the
interlocutors discussed issues of bilateral, regional and international
importance. Congratulating Edward Nalbandian on appointment and
stressing the importance of his contribution to the development of
Armenian-French relations as Armenian Ambassador to France, Bernard
Kouchner expressed confidence that he will continue working in the
direction of deepening the ties between the two countries.
Attaching importance to the dialogue and mutual understanding launched
between the leaders of Armenia and France on the highest level, which
creates a solid basis for the development of interstate relations, the
Ministers expressed readiness to make every effort to ensure bilateral
cooperation both in bilateral format and on the European, regional and
international levels.
Edward Nalbandian presented to Bernard Kouchner the pivotal directions
of activity of the coalition government formed in Armenia as a result
of the presidential elections, as well as the views of the Armenian
leadership on ensuring regional security, settlement of the existing
conflicts and development of cooperation. In this regard special
attention was paid to the current state and perspectives of
negotiations on the Karabakh conflict settlement. Edward Nalbandian
expressed the willingness of the Armenian side to continue the
negotiations on the basis of the proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group
Co-Chairs, highly appreciating the efforts of the mediators in the
direction of solving the conflict. The French Foreign Minister assured
that his country will sustain the efforts within the OSCE Minsk Group
to find ways of Karabakh conflict resolution.
In light of French presidency of the EU from the second half of the
current year, the Ministers turned to the issue of deepening of the
relations with Armenia within the framework of the European
Neighborhood Policy. Reference was made to a number of regional issues.
At the end of the meeting Edward Nalbandian invited Bernard Kouchner to
Yerevan, and the invitation was accepted with pleasure.
The meeting was followed by a joint press conference, during which the
Foreign Ministers responded to the journalists’ questions.
Reconfirming Armenia’s willingness to settle the Karabakh issue in a
peaceful manner and via negotiations, Edward Nalbandian declared:
`Today there is a need to establish mutual trust and a constructive
atmosphere for the negotiations. Today there is a necessity to
reconfirm that there is no alternative to the peaceful and negotiated
solution to the Karabakh issue. In Strasbourg I will meet my Azeri
counterpart and I hope that we shall continue the constructive dialogue
to find ways of peaceful solution with the help of the mediators.’
Turning to the normalization of relations with Turkey, RA Foreign
Minister declared that the current generations of the two peoples have
received a heavy inheritance from the past and the political leaders
should move forward to turn this black page. `For its part, Armenia is
ready. We propose to reestablish relations without any precondition,
which will benefit the whole region and our peoples.’