The ways of the development of the Armenian – British relations were discussed.
By paying tribute to the Memorial of the Unknown Soldier and to a friend of Armenian people and the 19th century prominent British statesman, former Prime Minister William Gladstone's tomb and his memory in Westminster Abbey on May 20 the official visit of Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian to the United Kingdom commenced.

Edward Nalbandian met William Hague, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom.
Welcoming Minister Nalbandian William Hague said that two years ago since the previous visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs positive progress has been achieved in the bilateral relations, the quantity of high level visits has increased, ties between the businessmen have activated, which creates good basis for further strengthening and expansion of cooperation in different areas.

Edward Nalbandian and William Hague discussed in detail the upcoming steps towards activation of business relations, cooperation in the international organizations, as well as promoting the political dialogue. In this context Minister Nalbandian said that Armenian-British relations have serious potential to develop, which can be pushed forward by joint efforts. The Minister also attached importance to the recent activation of cooperation in different areas.

The Ministers referred to the Armenia-EU relations. In this regard the head of the UK Foreign Office William Hague welcomed the achieved progress in the strengthening of Armenia-EU cooperation.

The heads of the Foreign Ministries of Armenia and the United Kingdom in details exchanged thoughts about the ways of settlement of the Syrian crisis, Iranian nuclear program’s negotiation process.

The sides thoroughly discussed issues concerning the settlement of regional conflicts. In that context Minister Nalbandian presented the joint efforts made by Armenia and the international community towards the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict, highlighting that only in case Azerbaijan shows appropriate political will and constructivism, it will be possible to achieve progress in the negotiation process. In this context, the Foreign Secretary of the UK expressed the support of his country to the efforts made by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs towards the peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict.

During a working lunch that Edward Nalbandian had in the Lord William Wallace, Government Spokesperson in the House of Lords, issues of European agenda became a subject of discussion, as well as Armenian-British relations, many other regional and international issues. The Armenian Foreign Minister’s agenda in London also included meetings in the Parliament of the UK.

Edward Nalbandian had a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Lords Frances D’Souza, during which Baroness Caroline Cox from the House of Lords, President of the Armenian-British Parliamentary Friendship Group was present.

During the conversation the sides referred to the Armenian-British Parliamentary cooperation, and noted with satisfaction that in the recent years ties have been activated in that format.

At the request of the Speaker of the House of Lord Minister Nalbandian presented the priorities of Armenia’s foreign policy, the role of the Armenian Diaspora in the development of Armenia.

In the capital of the UK Edward Nalbandian also visited the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, where he had a meeting with the leadership of the Bank. During the meeting the sides referred to the economic reforms that are being implemented in Armenia, the investment field, business environment. Some thoughts were exchanged concerning the influence of the regional problems on the economic development.

Edward Nalbandian's meeting with Roberts Walters, head of the British delegation in the PACE, was devoted to the discussion of priorities and programs of Armenia’s presidency in the Council of Europe.

In the Houses of Parliament Minister Nalbandian met a number of parliamentarians representing different parties, members of the friendship group with Armenia.

The meeting lasted almost for three hours and the sides exchanged thoughts about the Armenian-British cooperation, Armenia-EU relations, as well as about Armenia’s approaches to the resolution of regional issues.

Edward Nalbandian thoroughly presented to the British Parliamentarians the efforts made by Armenia and the international community towards the settlement of Karabakh conflict.