FOREIGN MINISTER EDWARD NALBANDIAN’S ADDRESS AND ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS DURING THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE BSEC 29TH MINISTERIAL COUNCIL

12.12.2013

Dear colleagues,
Dear Secretary General
Ladies and gentlemen,

When Armenia assumed the Chairmanship of BSEC six month ago, we
announced that we would contribute to its activities to enhance
the economic cooperation in the Black Sea region, increase the
Organization’s efficiency and its visibility in the international
arena.

Under Armenia’s Chairmanship nearly 70 events took place, a number
of initiatives were put forward to implement the provisions of “BSEC
Economic Agenda: Towards an Enhanced Partnership” and the “BSEC
Public Communication Strategy”. In the capacity of coordinator of
Working Group on Information and Communication Technologies we drew
our special attention to the promotion of cooperation in the IT sector.

During this period declarations on the enhancement of cooperation on
tourism and education were adopted, the steps on modernization of
the agendas of BSEC, the development of the cooperation with BSEC
Observer and Sectoral dialogue partners were taken as well as the
reforms of the Secretariat were implemented.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Chairmanship in the BSEC for the next 6 month was transferred
to Bulgaria. I would like to congratulate my Bulgarian colleague on
that occasion and assure that the Bulgarian Chairmanship can rely on
our contribution in the implementation of its projects.

Thank you!

News.am: There were reports in Turkish Media that in the context
of Armenian-Turkish relations, Davutoglu is going to discuss the
Nagorno-Karabakh issue in Yerevan?

Edward Nalbandian: The position of Armenia and the international
community is clear – the normalization of Armenian- Turkish relations
should be without any preconditions, therefore attempts of the Turkish
side to link it with other issues or put preconditions are senseless
and in vain.

Arminfo: The Turkish Foreign Minister arrived in Yerevan for the
BSEC Ministerial meeting. Will you have a meeting with him, if yes,
what will be discussed?

Edward Nalbandian: There will be meetings with the heads of
participating delegations, including the Turkish Foreign Minister. As
of the discussions topics, we will talk about it after the meeting.