On December 5, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian participated in the international conference on Afghanistan's future in the German city of Bonn. Ban Ki-Moon, the UN Secretary-General, Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, six dozen of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and heads of international organizations, and more than 1000 delegates from nearly 100 countries attended the Conference.

The Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs delivered a speech in the Conference, as well. Minister Nalbandian particularly noted: “Today’s impressive presence at the conference speaks to the fact that the distance is not an issue of all of our countries, no matter how close or far they are, when it comes to support of Afghanistan.

Armenia along with its partners came to Afghanistan to bring its commensurate contribution to our common efforts to assist Afghanistan to be in peace with itself, its neighbors, and the international community, to prevent those destructive forces of terror that ravage not only their own soil but at times spread far away as mercenaries. We, in our region, experienced it and we know what does it mean.

It is evident that during this period we together put on record achievements in bringing noticeable degree of security to the Afghan land, succeeded to plant the seeds of future development of the Afghan society. The positive dynamic is evident. But what should we do to be more sure that this process is irreversible?

While looking how to address these challenges we have to be prepared not only for the handover of the responsibility of security to the Afghan authorities, but also to recommit ourselves in strong partnership with Afghanistan beyond this handover.

We share the common goal of transforming Afghanistan in a way that it will not serve as a source of constant concern to its neighbors and far beyond, but become a positive factor, positive driving force for the whole region.”

The participants of the Conference adopted a joint declaration reaffirming the willingness of the international community to support the establishment of stability, security and democracy in Afghanistan, as well as the development and prosperity of the country.

Gratitude was expressed to the countries which bring their contribution to the tackling of the problems Afghanistan faces.

After Bonn, Edward Nalbandian left for Vilnius to take part in the OSCE Ministerial meeting.