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MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF ARMENIA EDUARD NALBANDIAN...
Azat Artsakh Daily
Published on April 18, 2008
NKR Republic
Minister, may I begin by congratulating upon the assumption of the
position of the Foreign Minister. And thank you for finding the time
for this interview on your first day in office. Could I ask you to
share your views regarding the main directions of Armenia's foreign
policy? - Thank you and with pleasure. Last week, in his meeting with
the Armenian Ambassadors, President Sargsyan stated, that there will
be no significant changes in the main course of our foreign policy;
we will continue to develop bilateral and multilateral cooperation
with the friend and partner states, and our practical engagement in
the international organizations.
I would not want you to regard my answers here as program provisions,
but rather as views on some priorities. Shall I begin with our
main partners? Armenia will continue to strengthen our special
strategic partnership with the Russian Federation, building upon
the traditional friendly ties between our nations. We will pursue
the development and enhancement of the friendly partnership with
the United States and an intensified cooperation. Armenia will
continue its consistent effort towards developing increased ties
with the Europe, on the basis of the commitments undertaken within
the framework of cooperation with the European organizations and the
common values, which we share. Armenia attaches great importance to
the relations with those immediate neighboring states, with which we
are engaged in a friendly cooperation, and is ready to exert every
effort to improve the relations with those of our neighbors with whom
problems still exist. The settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict
remains a priority. I would like to reiterate Armenia's commitment to
continue the existing process in order to reach a solution. However,
our readiness alone is not enough. Azerbaijan's readiness is also
needed for reaching a settlement. I would like to believe that,
together with my Azerbaijani counterpart, we will demonstrate due
responsibility, put aside the practice of communicating through the
media and declarations, and of giving public lessons and advise.
It is impossible to call for compromise and, at the same time,
declare that the solution will be in the interest of one party only;
to speak of constructive approach and to make militant statements
and openly prepare for a war. Why would this be done? I cannot think
of any other state which would brag about a several-fold increase
in its military budget. The key issue of the negotiations is the
status of Nagorno Karabagh and it should be resolved through the
peace process, on the basis of a plebiscite, which will give the
people of Karabagh an opportunity for a free expression of their
will. This is the essence of the current stage of negotiations. I
believe that there is a window of opportunity today, and a solution
can be reached with a political will. - Minister, would you like to
comment on the current stage of the Armenian-Turkish relations and
the prospects thereof? With regard to our relations with Turkey, we
have, on various occasions, expressed our readiness to normalize them
without any precondition. The Genocide is a dark page of our common
history and together, we have to turn this page, and together must we
build a secure future. I want to once more reiterate the readiness
of Armenia to develop relations with Turkey without preconditions
and our commitment to make necessary steps to that end.
Establishment of lasting peace and stability and wider cooperation in
our region will continue to remain among our priorities. The strategic
importance of the South Caucasus is not only in its geographic location
and natural riches, but in its position on an important North-South
and East-West axis, which can only be fully utilized if conflicts
are resolved and good-neighborly relations are established. This will
benefit everyone!
The Republic of Armenia will spare no effort to bring that day closer.
Azat Artsakh Daily
Published on April 18, 2008
NKR Republic
Minister, may I begin by congratulating upon the assumption of the
position of the Foreign Minister. And thank you for finding the time
for this interview on your first day in office. Could I ask you to
share your views regarding the main directions of Armenia's foreign
policy? - Thank you and with pleasure. Last week, in his meeting with
the Armenian Ambassadors, President Sargsyan stated, that there will
be no significant changes in the main course of our foreign policy;
we will continue to develop bilateral and multilateral cooperation
with the friend and partner states, and our practical engagement in
the international organizations.
I would not want you to regard my answers here as program provisions,
but rather as views on some priorities. Shall I begin with our
main partners? Armenia will continue to strengthen our special
strategic partnership with the Russian Federation, building upon
the traditional friendly ties between our nations. We will pursue
the development and enhancement of the friendly partnership with
the United States and an intensified cooperation. Armenia will
continue its consistent effort towards developing increased ties
with the Europe, on the basis of the commitments undertaken within
the framework of cooperation with the European organizations and the
common values, which we share. Armenia attaches great importance to
the relations with those immediate neighboring states, with which we
are engaged in a friendly cooperation, and is ready to exert every
effort to improve the relations with those of our neighbors with whom
problems still exist. The settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict
remains a priority. I would like to reiterate Armenia's commitment to
continue the existing process in order to reach a solution. However,
our readiness alone is not enough. Azerbaijan's readiness is also
needed for reaching a settlement. I would like to believe that,
together with my Azerbaijani counterpart, we will demonstrate due
responsibility, put aside the practice of communicating through the
media and declarations, and of giving public lessons and advise.
It is impossible to call for compromise and, at the same time,
declare that the solution will be in the interest of one party only;
to speak of constructive approach and to make militant statements
and openly prepare for a war. Why would this be done? I cannot think
of any other state which would brag about a several-fold increase
in its military budget. The key issue of the negotiations is the
status of Nagorno Karabagh and it should be resolved through the
peace process, on the basis of a plebiscite, which will give the
people of Karabagh an opportunity for a free expression of their
will. This is the essence of the current stage of negotiations. I
believe that there is a window of opportunity today, and a solution
can be reached with a political will. - Minister, would you like to
comment on the current stage of the Armenian-Turkish relations and
the prospects thereof? With regard to our relations with Turkey, we
have, on various occasions, expressed our readiness to normalize them
without any precondition. The Genocide is a dark page of our common
history and together, we have to turn this page, and together must we
build a secure future. I want to once more reiterate the readiness
of Armenia to develop relations with Turkey without preconditions
and our commitment to make necessary steps to that end.
Establishment of lasting peace and stability and wider cooperation in
our region will continue to remain among our priorities. The strategic
importance of the South Caucasus is not only in its geographic location
and natural riches, but in its position on an important North-South
and East-West axis, which can only be fully utilized if conflicts
are resolved and good-neighborly relations are established. This will
benefit everyone!
The Republic of Armenia will spare no effort to bring that day closer.