On September 24 Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian delivered a speech on Armenia’s foreign policy at the Los Angeles World Affairs Council (LAWAC), one of the leading institutions on global affairs in the United States. The Ambassadors accredited in Los Angeles, political scientists, journalists and representatives of the Department of State attended the meeting. The meeting was conducted by Terry McCarthy, the LAWAC President.

In his speech Edward Nalbandian touched upon the main vectors of Armenia’s foreign policy, the Armenian-American relations and the regional issues in the South Caucasus and Armenia’s efforts exerting towards their solution.

Presenting our country’s foreign policy, Edward Nalbandian said, "Armenia pursues a multi-vector foreign policy. Deepening of relations and diversifying the areas of cooperation with countries in the east and west, in the north and south is the score of our foreign policy. In building and developing relations with our partners we believe in the principles of reciprocity, trust, goodwill, mutual interests and respect. These values are entrenched in our strategic relations with Russia, in our close friendly partnership with the United States, in our strong relationships with the European Union as well as with other partner countries all over the world.

Touching upon the Armenian-American relations, the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs said, "This year we are celebrating the 20 th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and the United States. More than a century-long friendship between our two nations, in which the American-Armenian community has had a special role, was naturally reflected in the two decades long interstate relations. The mutual trust and understanding existing between our two countries are the best pillars for expanding our friendly partnership. 20 years ago Secretary James Baker noted that free, democratic, independent Armenia, as the United States of America, shares the same values - democracy, liberty, market economy, defense of human rights. During those 20 years the United States has strongly supported Armenia. Today humanitarian assistance is gradually turning into development projects and mutually beneficial cooperation."

Edward Nalbandian presented in detail the current stage of the negotiations over the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. In this regard, Minister Nalbandian particularly stressed. "Armenia shares the international community’s stance that the conflict must be settled through exclusively peaceful means. Azerbaijan poses as a threat to the security and stability in the region by its continuous threatening to use force against Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia along with unprovoked daily war-mongering by its leadership, by its drastic increase of military budget, twentyfold during the last five years, by its ceasefire violations and provocations on the line of contact, by systematic acts of vandalism towards the Armenian historical and cultural heritage, by the policy of hatred against Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia and Armenians.

Despite the intensive efforts of the three Co-Chair countries during the last 3 years: 15 summits, several dozens of meetings on ministerial level, several dozens of visits of the three Co-Chairs to the region and some progress reached in the process of negotiations, it was impossible to reach a breakthrough in the conflict resolution, because the Azerbaijani side rejected one after another all proposals presented by the mediators.

What is Azerbaijan doing in response? It is not only ignoring these appeals of international community, but is constantly making new and new steps in contrast to the values of civilized world.

The last such case is the Azeri government’s vulgar act to release and glorify murderer Safarov which shocked the international community. But no less shocking are the reactions coming from Azerbaijan. There is no international organization, no state that expressed its understanding about what was done by Azerbaijan. The reaction of the international community to that horrible act was unanimous and very clear in condemning what was done by Baku. Azerbaijani leadership is continuing to pretend that this act corresponds to the Azerbaijani constitution and legislation, so what was done is very good, and expresses bewilderment on the reaction of the international community. What were they expecting? That the international community had to applaud the glorification of a dirty murderer? It is very sad that the constitution and legislation of any country could allow the heroization of a murderer and salary payment for the years passed in prison by brutal criminal. Simply there are different perceptions about what is good and what is bad between Azerbaijan and the rest of the world.

Safarov’s shameful affair has seriously undermined the process of the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations as well as the efforts aimed at the strengthening of regional security and stability. It is another attempt by Azerbaijan to fail the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue and the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs undertaken to that end.

Regardless of Azerbaijan’s unconstructive behavior, Armenia will continue to exert efforts towards the settlement of the Karabakh issue exclusively through peaceful means and on the basis of the purposes, principles and norms reflected in the UN Charter and the international law."

After the speech, Minister Nalbandian answered various questions of the attendees.

On September 25, Edward Nalbandian in Los Angeles Consulate General of Armenia had a meeting with the representatives of Armenian community organizations in the U.S. West Coast. In the course of the meeting Minister Nalbandian presented in detail the priorities of Armenia’s foreign policy, Armenia's approaches on international and regional issues, the steps undertaking towards the strengthening of the cooperation between Armenia and Diaspora and the reforms being implemented in Armenia. Edward Nalbandian answered numerous questions of the attendees, as well.