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The Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs delivered a speech at World
Affairs Council
http://www.mfa.am/en/press-releases/item/2012/09/24/la_wac/
24.09.2012
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
currentstage
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.
Affairs Council
http://www.mfa.am/en/press-releases/item/2012/09/24/la_wac/
24.09.2012
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
currentstage
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.