Updates
Foreign visits
17
06, 2010
Working visit of President Serzh Sargsyan to Saint Petersburg
On June 17 a tripartite meeting of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev and the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev took place at the Konstantinov Palace in St. Petersburg. The meeting started with the participation of the Presidents, who later were joined by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the three countries.
The meeting was followed by the working dinner given on behalf of President Medvedev with the participation of the Presidents and the Foreign Ministers of the three states.
After the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward Nalbandian noted that at the meeting confirmed were the agreements reached by the parties during the negotiations. The sides agreed to continue negotiations on the basis of these agreements.
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs were instructed by the Presidents to continue to actively negotiate.
***
On June 18, in Saint Petersburg President Serzh Sargsyan participated at the session of the International Economic Forum.
Later, the President of Armenia met with the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Bernard Fassier (France), Robert Bradtke (USA), Igor Popov (RF) and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk. At the meeting discussed were issues pertinent to the current stage of the NK peace process.
After the meeting with the President, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward Nalbandian met with the Co-Chairs and discussed details of the forthcoming visit of the Co-Chairs to Armenia.
***
On June 19 in the framework of the events dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Armenian community of Saint Petersburg, at the Saltykov-Shchedrin National Library President Serzh Sargsyan attended the opening ceremony for the exhibition of the Armenian manuscripts and ancient printed books and made an inscription in the book of Honorary Guests. Then President Sargsyan was escorted to the Voltaire Room where he observed the writer’s private library and artifacts relating him to Armenia and Armenians.
Later, President Sargsyan together with President Medvedev visited the Saint Petersburg University. Rector Kropachev told Presidents Sargsyan and Medvedev about the momentous contribution of the Armenian scientists to the development of the University.
Afterwards, Presidents Sargsyan and Medvedev attended the ceremony of signing a cooperation program between the Universities of Yerevan and Saint Petersburg. At the University Hall of Fame they observed the ceremony of unveiling the portraits of Victor Hambartsumian and Armen Takhtajian. The Presidents of Armenia and Russia visited also the site of the future Hovsep Orbeli memorial.
At the University, Presidents Sargsyan and Medvedev held a brief tête-à-tête meeting. After the meeting, at the request of the journalists the President of Armenia spoke about the latest provocation staged by the Azeri armed forces at the NK-Azerbaijan contact line.
Serzh Sargsyan said in particular, “Late at night, I was informed that the Azeri armed forces took action and made an attempt to penetrate the positions of the Defense Army of Nagorno Karabakh.
The NK Defense Army retaliated properly and the attempts of the Azeri side were, naturally, aborted and terminated. They were forced to retreat, leaving one dead at the crime scene and suffering losses. Unfortunately, there were losses on our side too, and I express my heart-felt condolences to the friends and families of four fallen soldiers. Realizing that nothing can relieve their grief, we at the same time believe that our considerate attitude, Karabakh’s reinforced statehood and fortified security of our people will soothe their pain.
Provocations are unacceptable in any circumstance; however these appalling actions are particularly inexcusable because they took place hours after the trilateral meeting initiated by the President of the Russian Federation. This incident proves that the Co-Chairs and the involved countries have some things to ponder about. Belligerent statements and unpunished, though not unrequited, provocations always may have similar or much more sinister consequences. I consider this to be also a demonstration of disrespect for the Co-Chairs.
We approach the negotiations in full awareness, and our goal is unambiguous. We never deviated from our goal and didn’t try to revise something reasoning it with Azerbaijan’s actions such as this one. We are resolute and I am confident that we will achieve the recognition of Nagorno Karabakh’s independence. It is our goal, and I don’t believe there is any reason to revise it,” said the President of Armenia.
In the afternoon, the President of Armenia visited Saint Katarina Church, attended the concert at the Concert Hall of Mariinski Theatre dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Armenian community of Saint Petersburg and later participated at the reception in the Tavricheski Palace also dedicated to this event. President Sargsyan delivered a speech and handed awards to the representatives of the Armenian community for their significant contribution to the strengthening of the Armenia-Diaspora relations.
The meeting was followed by the working dinner given on behalf of President Medvedev with the participation of the Presidents and the Foreign Ministers of the three states.
After the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward Nalbandian noted that at the meeting confirmed were the agreements reached by the parties during the negotiations. The sides agreed to continue negotiations on the basis of these agreements.
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs were instructed by the Presidents to continue to actively negotiate.
***
On June 18, in Saint Petersburg President Serzh Sargsyan participated at the session of the International Economic Forum.
Later, the President of Armenia met with the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Bernard Fassier (France), Robert Bradtke (USA), Igor Popov (RF) and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk. At the meeting discussed were issues pertinent to the current stage of the NK peace process.
After the meeting with the President, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward Nalbandian met with the Co-Chairs and discussed details of the forthcoming visit of the Co-Chairs to Armenia.
***
On June 19 in the framework of the events dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Armenian community of Saint Petersburg, at the Saltykov-Shchedrin National Library President Serzh Sargsyan attended the opening ceremony for the exhibition of the Armenian manuscripts and ancient printed books and made an inscription in the book of Honorary Guests. Then President Sargsyan was escorted to the Voltaire Room where he observed the writer’s private library and artifacts relating him to Armenia and Armenians.
Later, President Sargsyan together with President Medvedev visited the Saint Petersburg University. Rector Kropachev told Presidents Sargsyan and Medvedev about the momentous contribution of the Armenian scientists to the development of the University.
Afterwards, Presidents Sargsyan and Medvedev attended the ceremony of signing a cooperation program between the Universities of Yerevan and Saint Petersburg. At the University Hall of Fame they observed the ceremony of unveiling the portraits of Victor Hambartsumian and Armen Takhtajian. The Presidents of Armenia and Russia visited also the site of the future Hovsep Orbeli memorial.
At the University, Presidents Sargsyan and Medvedev held a brief tête-à-tête meeting. After the meeting, at the request of the journalists the President of Armenia spoke about the latest provocation staged by the Azeri armed forces at the NK-Azerbaijan contact line.
Serzh Sargsyan said in particular, “Late at night, I was informed that the Azeri armed forces took action and made an attempt to penetrate the positions of the Defense Army of Nagorno Karabakh.
The NK Defense Army retaliated properly and the attempts of the Azeri side were, naturally, aborted and terminated. They were forced to retreat, leaving one dead at the crime scene and suffering losses. Unfortunately, there were losses on our side too, and I express my heart-felt condolences to the friends and families of four fallen soldiers. Realizing that nothing can relieve their grief, we at the same time believe that our considerate attitude, Karabakh’s reinforced statehood and fortified security of our people will soothe their pain.
Provocations are unacceptable in any circumstance; however these appalling actions are particularly inexcusable because they took place hours after the trilateral meeting initiated by the President of the Russian Federation. This incident proves that the Co-Chairs and the involved countries have some things to ponder about. Belligerent statements and unpunished, though not unrequited, provocations always may have similar or much more sinister consequences. I consider this to be also a demonstration of disrespect for the Co-Chairs.
We approach the negotiations in full awareness, and our goal is unambiguous. We never deviated from our goal and didn’t try to revise something reasoning it with Azerbaijan’s actions such as this one. We are resolute and I am confident that we will achieve the recognition of Nagorno Karabakh’s independence. It is our goal, and I don’t believe there is any reason to revise it,” said the President of Armenia.
In the afternoon, the President of Armenia visited Saint Katarina Church, attended the concert at the Concert Hall of Mariinski Theatre dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Armenian community of Saint Petersburg and later participated at the reception in the Tavricheski Palace also dedicated to this event. President Sargsyan delivered a speech and handed awards to the representatives of the Armenian community for their significant contribution to the strengthening of the Armenia-Diaspora relations.