Edward Nalbandian tallies up prior achievements
"Today Armenia appears to the world as a predictable and reliable partner, whose approaches are comprehended and appreciated. Important international role-players and centers respect our country, which has proven its reliability on both regional and international levels," Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said, addressing an annual press conference in Yerevan.
In 2009 the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs worked to reinforce foreign security, create favorable conditions for the development of the republic, present Armenia's positions on the international arena, raise the effectiveness of the defense of rights of the Republic and its citizens abroad, deepen the involvement in international organizations and processes.
"The just settlement of the Artsakh issue on the basis of principles of international law remained in the spotlight of our foreign policy. The Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan held intensive talks during the 9 meetings over the year. For the first time the right of peoples to self-determination was mentioned in the statement of the OSCE Ministerial as an indispensable principle of settlement, a number of international documents stressed the importance of the principle of non-use of force or threat of force," the Foreign Minister said.
According to the Foreign Minister, steps were taken in 2009 to deepen and reinforce the cooperation with partner countries. Armenia followed its policy of European integration both in bilateral format and within the framework of European structures. Our country jointed the EU Eastern Partnership Program.
"Guided by the initiative of the President of the Republic of Armenia to establish relations with Turkey without preconditions, intensive talks were held with the Turkish side. Protocols on normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations were signed in Zurich on October10," the Minister said.
According to Minister Nalbandian, Armenia counted playing an active role in the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization and the Eurasian Economic Community. Our country was consistent in implementing the Individual Partnership Action Plan with NATO and expanded its participation in international peacekeeping activity.
A number of reciprocal visits, political consultations, meetings and other events took place last year, about 100 international agreements were concluded. The Armenian President paid 22 foreign visits, Presidents of eight countries visited Armenia. The Armenian Prime Minister visited eight and Foreign Minister 29 countries. Foreign Ministers of eleven countries and heads of five international organizations paid a visit to Armenia.
In 2009, over 100.000 documents were circulated by RA Foreign Ministry.
