WASHINGTON–An Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) delegation discussed a broad range of Armenian American community concerns with Armenia Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian during a 90-minute meeting today at the Armenian Embassy.
The delegation, which included ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian, Executive Director Aram Hamparian, and Garo Armenian, discussed a broad array of issues, including US reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide, strengthening US-Armenia bilateral relations, and the role of the US as a constructive partner in the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
Nalbandian began his first official US visit on Monday with the signing of an accord against nuclear smuggling with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. He has also held meetings with the White House and the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and gave a presentation at the Carnegie Endowment.
Nalbandian on Wednesday also me with US Assistant Secretary State for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried, reported Armenpress.
During the meeting Nalbandian and Fried discussed Armenian-US relations, Armenian-Turkish relations, and ways to ensure stability and security in the South Caucasus.
Nalbandian also briefed Fried on the steps being taken by Armenia’s authorities to overcome the post-election unrest that ensued after Armenia’s protests staged by former President Levon Ter-Petrosian turned violent on March 1.
The Armenian Foreign Minister later met with the OSCE Minsk Group’s US co-chairman Matthew Bryza to discuss details of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process, and the results of a recent visit of the co-chairs to the region. The two also talked about new opportunities for setting up a second meeting between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The foreign minister told Bryza that Azerbaijan’s hardening military rhetoric and regular threats to re-ignite a war in the region do not get the necessary attention they deserve by the international community. This makes it difficult to create the atmosphere of trust necessary for negotiations to continue, he said.
