U.S. Secretary of State to travel to Armenia before yearend

PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian in Washington on Tuesday, June 4.

“It is a particular pleasure to welcome Mr Nalbandian because I think everybody knows Massachusetts is home to one of the largest populations of Armenians outside of Armenia, so we’re very happy. I have many, many friends in the Armenian community, and for years, have worked with my friends in Armenia on a number of different issues,” Kerry said.

“Armenia today is an important partner with United States in a number of initiatives. Importantly, they’re helping us in Afghanistan with ISAF, they’ve played a key role in Kosovo helping to keep peace there. We also have other issues of great importance to us: the economic partnership, the development of the economy and strengthening of democracy, and the security of our friends, the Armenian people,” Kerry said.

Nalbandian in turn, welcomed the opportunity to have a conversation on perspectives of enhancement of the friendly partnership between Armenia and the U.S.

“Both countries have a good interaction in the international arena covering international regional security, proliferation, fight against terrorism, as you mentioned, peacekeeping operations from Kosovo to Afghanistan, other challenges, who are sharing vision – same vision – that it is important to continue efforts to find exclusively peaceful solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict based on the principles and norms of international law, particularly non-use of force, excessive force, self-determination, territorial integrity who are sharing the vision that the relations between Armenia and Turkey should be normalized without preconditions.

I would like to use also opportunity to express our gratitude to the President Obama Administration for remarkable contribution to the strengthening of Armenian-American relations, which are today in their highest point. And I’m confident that with our joint efforts, we could elevate that to new heights. And the trust and understanding between our two countries is – are the best pillars to extend further our relations,” Nalbandian said.

The parties further exchanged views on a number of political and economy issues, with the Secretary of State expressing readiness to promote the settlement of Karabakh conflict and Armenia-Turkey rapprochement. In conclusion, Nalbandian invited Kerry to visit Armenia. The Secretary of State accepted the invitation, noting that he’ll travel to the country before yearend.