On October 29, the Minister of Foreign Affairs took part in the 36th session of UNESCO General Conference which is dedicated to the discussions over the main directions of the activities to be held by the Organizations during the upcoming two years.

Edward Nalbandian delivered a speech at the Conference where he touched upon the interaction between Armenia and the UNESCO and the role of the UNESCO in preservation of cultural heritage.

Minister Nalbandian condemned the state-level policy of destruction of the Armenian cultural heritage committed by Azerbaijan which is opposed to the principles of the UNESCO and called upon the international community to undertake joint steps towards the prevention of similar activities.

On the same day, Minister Nalbandian had a meeting with Irina Bokova, the UNESCO Director-General. The Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed satisfaction with the projects and events being implemented by the participation of the UNESCO in Armenia and expressed readiness to continue the effective cooperation with the Organization.

Edward Nalbandian informed the UNESCO Director-General about the events scheduled within the frames of 500th anniversary of the Armenian book-printing and the proclamation of Yerevan by UNESCO as the World Book Capital 2012. In this regard, Minister Nalbandian invited Irina Bokova to visit Armenia.