Updates
Press releases
16
04, 2008
Today President Serzh Sarkissian introudced the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edward Nalbandian to the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Noting that on April 13 he signed two decrees appointing the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defense, Serzh Sarkissian said that even though it was a sheer coincidence it bears some significance. “I believe that any diplomat and especially an Armenian diplomat is a soldier, an officer, a general of his country and bears as much responsibility for the inviolability of Armenia’s borders and her security. I appeal to our diplomats to keep it in mind and to be guided by this principle,” said the President of Armenia.
According to the President, defense and foreign policy have always been and will remain priorities for the state.
Serzh Sarkissian expressed confidence that not only our diplomats but also a great part of our society know the newly appointed Minister Nalbandian, value his work, professionalism, and most of all the results of his work. He said that he was certain that in this position Edward Nalbandian would be able to fully reveal his abilities and be helpful for our country.
President Sarkissian once again thanked Vartan Oskanian, the person, who was leading the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for ten years and during that period of time represented our country in the most dignified and distinguished way to the world from the podium of the UN, in the international organizations, and in the bilateral relations. He expressed confidence that V. Oskanian would continue to employ his experience and knowledge to solve the problems facing our country.
Taking the opportunity the President of Armenia spoke about some issues of the Armenian foreign policy.
He said that in the coming years the foreign policy of Armenia while maintaining complementarity should become more proactive. He said that we should become more engaged in the international affairs, continue to deepen our relations with the friendly countries as well as with the international organizations. With this regard he underscored the importance of creating favorable conditions for the peaceful and fair resolution of the NK conflict.
Noting that there is some misunderstanding in Baku regarding oil-money and natural resources, Serzh Sakissian said, “We should realize it ourselves and explain it to others that money power is not enough to build a state, and money power is not enough to build armed forces. It is a well-known fact the index of economic freedom places Armenia in the 28th position, while Azerbaijan occupies the 107th. The fact speaks for itself. Specialists say that Azerbaijan has armed units, while Armenia has armed forces. And if Azeris think that dollars can buy a combat ready army, which will be able to solve the issue of Nagorno Karabagh, they are bitterly mistaken. The existence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh is an irrefutable fact and irreversible reality,” stressed the President of Armenia.
Among the priorities of the Armenian foreign policy Serzh Sarkissian mentioned the necessity of enhancing economic relations with the partner states, noting that the political relations with many countries are on a high level, while economic relations are lagging behind. “There is a significant potential present, which should be utilized at its utmost,” said the President.
He also paid special attention to the relations with the Diaspora, the issue of the preservation of the Armenian national identity, as well as the necessity for the better utilization of the Diaspora’s potential.
The President of Armenia also stated that the issues of international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide would remain on the agenda of the Armenian foreign policy.
The newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edward Nalbandian expressed gratitude for the confidence place in him and said that he was assuming the office with a great sense of responsibility and was ready to double his and his team’s efforts and opportunities to promote the foreign relations’ agenda. He highlighted the importance of public support, day-by-day hard work of the team and performance in compliance with the contemporary requirements.
Vartan Oskanian expressed his thanks to the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and noted that it would impossible to achieve any success without their dedicated work. He expressed readiness to contribute his experience and knowledge to the further empowerment of Armenia.
According to the President, defense and foreign policy have always been and will remain priorities for the state.
Serzh Sarkissian expressed confidence that not only our diplomats but also a great part of our society know the newly appointed Minister Nalbandian, value his work, professionalism, and most of all the results of his work. He said that he was certain that in this position Edward Nalbandian would be able to fully reveal his abilities and be helpful for our country.
President Sarkissian once again thanked Vartan Oskanian, the person, who was leading the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for ten years and during that period of time represented our country in the most dignified and distinguished way to the world from the podium of the UN, in the international organizations, and in the bilateral relations. He expressed confidence that V. Oskanian would continue to employ his experience and knowledge to solve the problems facing our country.
Taking the opportunity the President of Armenia spoke about some issues of the Armenian foreign policy.
He said that in the coming years the foreign policy of Armenia while maintaining complementarity should become more proactive. He said that we should become more engaged in the international affairs, continue to deepen our relations with the friendly countries as well as with the international organizations. With this regard he underscored the importance of creating favorable conditions for the peaceful and fair resolution of the NK conflict.
Noting that there is some misunderstanding in Baku regarding oil-money and natural resources, Serzh Sakissian said, “We should realize it ourselves and explain it to others that money power is not enough to build a state, and money power is not enough to build armed forces. It is a well-known fact the index of economic freedom places Armenia in the 28th position, while Azerbaijan occupies the 107th. The fact speaks for itself. Specialists say that Azerbaijan has armed units, while Armenia has armed forces. And if Azeris think that dollars can buy a combat ready army, which will be able to solve the issue of Nagorno Karabagh, they are bitterly mistaken. The existence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh is an irrefutable fact and irreversible reality,” stressed the President of Armenia.
Among the priorities of the Armenian foreign policy Serzh Sarkissian mentioned the necessity of enhancing economic relations with the partner states, noting that the political relations with many countries are on a high level, while economic relations are lagging behind. “There is a significant potential present, which should be utilized at its utmost,” said the President.
He also paid special attention to the relations with the Diaspora, the issue of the preservation of the Armenian national identity, as well as the necessity for the better utilization of the Diaspora’s potential.
The President of Armenia also stated that the issues of international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide would remain on the agenda of the Armenian foreign policy.
The newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edward Nalbandian expressed gratitude for the confidence place in him and said that he was assuming the office with a great sense of responsibility and was ready to double his and his team’s efforts and opportunities to promote the foreign relations’ agenda. He highlighted the importance of public support, day-by-day hard work of the team and performance in compliance with the contemporary requirements.
Vartan Oskanian expressed his thanks to the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and noted that it would impossible to achieve any success without their dedicated work. He expressed readiness to contribute his experience and knowledge to the further empowerment of Armenia.