Armenia’s Foreign Minister’s visit to Washington was launched

On June 4 Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, who was in Washington, met the United States Secretary of State John Kerry.

Welcoming the Foreign Minister of Armenia, Secretary of State Kerry noted that being from the state of Massachusetts, where there is a large Armenian community, he knows very well about the problematic issues that Armenia has. According to the Secretary of State Armenia and the USA are partners in different initiatives. Armenia has its contribution to the security forces in Afghanistan, plays an important role in ensuring peace in Kosovo.

“We are attaching importance to the development of the economic cooperation between the two countries, as well as to the strengthening of democracy, the provision of the security of the friendly Armenian people” highlighted the United States Secretary of State.

I am glad to be back to Washington and meet you, to have discussion on the perspectives of enhancing the friendly partnership between Armenia and the United States.
The two countries have close interaction in the international arena covering regional and international security, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, fight against terrorism and Mr. Secretary, as you mentioned, peacekeeping operations from Kosovo to Afghanistan and other global challenges.

Expressing gratitude for the warm reception Minister Nalbandian said. “I am glad to be back to Washington and meet you, to have discussion on the perspectives of enhancing the friendly partnership between Armenia and the United States.

The two countries have close interaction in the international arena covering regional and international security, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, fight against terrorism and Mr. Secretary, as you mentioned, peacekeeping operations from Kosovo to Afghanistan and other global challenges.

Armenia and the United States share the vision that it is necessary to exert all efforts to achieve exclusively peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on the principles of international law, particularly the non-use or threat of force, self-determination of peoples and territorial integrity. We share the vision that the Armenian-Turkish relations should be normalized without preconditions. We share the same values of democracy, liberty, fundamental freedoms, market economy and human rights. During the last twenty years since our independence the United States extended important support to Armenia and we are thankful for that.

I would like to use this opportunity to express our gratitude to President Obama Administration for its remarkable contribution to strengthening of the Armenian-American relations, which are currently on their highest level. I am confident that with our joint efforts we will be able to elevate them to new heights. The mutual trust and understanding existing between our two countries are the best pillars for expanding them.”

Foreign Ministers of Armenia and United States discussed a wide range of issues concerning different areas of the bilateral relations, economic cooperation opportunities and the necessity of expansion of the legal framework. The sides referred to the activities of the bilateral intergovernmental commission as well, attached importance to the launch of the dialogue on visa facilitation, the restart of the project “Millenium Challenges’’ in Armenia.

John Kerry reassured the USA’s commitment to continue extending every support for the complete normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations.
During the meeting thoughts were exchanged concerning the peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict. Secretary Kerry highlighted that the USA as an OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair, will continue its full support aimed at reaching an agreement and peaceful resolution of the conflict, which as he described will create new opportunities for the regional development of the South Caucasus, as well as for strengthening the stability and security.

Accepting the invitation to visit Armenia John Kerry informed that he wants to implement it during this year.