If citizens of Armenia are asked what achievements the foreign policy of Armenia had in 2008, most of them will ask whether there have been any achievements generally. However, the foreign affairs ministry has published a handbook resuming the foreign affairs policy of the country in 2008, which only includes achievements.
Yesterday FA minister Edward Nalbanydan organized a press conference to present the mentioned document. “The foreign affairs ministry has kept on the efforts targeted at strengthening foreign security, providing conditions necessary for future development and guarantees, diplomatic efforts to deepen integration with world and regional processes, develop closer multilateral relations with other countries and supporting active practical participation in international organizations,” reads the mentioned document.
In consideration of the fact that there is a danger that Armenia may be deprived of the vote at PACE it is very strange that the foreign affairs ministry assures that the policy of developing closer cooperation with the European family continued in 2008 as well. Definitely we became “much closer”. Some time ago Mr. Nalbandyan said that there would be such developments in January enabling to reconsider the possibility of depriving Armenia of the voting right. Journalists asked the foreign affairs minister whether there have been such developments and if yes, what specifically. “Due to cooperation and support of the European institutions and Euro Union we have tried to do our best to weaken the shortcomings resulted from the elections. You know about everything happened in January and will happen till the PACE session,” said the foreign affairs minister of Armenia. He also said another thing, which already makes it clear why he thinks so. “You know that there were many meetings during the visit of Prescott and Colombier, and I think that they performed understanding during all meetings at high levels in Armenia. They returned with such understanding, which is what they are going to express in their conclusions before the session. We should wait for that session. Let’s not talk in dramatic or tragic sense. I hope that everything will be normal. I am saying it one more time that Armenia is working, has and will work with the European institutions to work out the shortcomings resulted from the elections.”
The minister was asked whether there had been meetings other than those specified by the minister. “I have already answered that question and I have nothing to add. I think that my answer had a deeper meaning than you can imagine.” What does it mean that “they performed understanding”? The minister did not answer this question. “If I wanted to open the brackets of the term “understanding” I would do it.” It means that we will see what their “understanding” is during the upcoming session.
There were questions concerning the issue of Karabakh as well. Journalists asked the FM to explain the announcement of the Azeri FM Elmar Mamediarov saying that the OSCE co-chairmen have made some changes to the recommendations to the Karabakh conflict settlement package. “I don’t think such announcements are true,” said Nalbandyan and pledged that at least the co-chairmen had not told the Armenian officials about any such changes in the package during their meetings with Armenian government officials.
Concerning the announcement of the OSCE co-chairmen that it is possible that during this half of the year a draft agreement may be signed on the conflict settlement the FM said, “We should always be optimistic. Such possibility will be real if Azerbaijan performs constructive approach. I would prefer to be more careful to such announcements and would not forecast anything concerning the terms such as spring, summer, winter, etc… There have been such announcements before too. I think that it is not right to put terms for such negotiations.” Concerning the future status of Karabakh the FM says that the people of Karabakh should express their opinion. “There are different methods, for example they can do it through a referendum. They should have the right to express their will freely and show how they want to live. As for their opinion, you perfectly know what the people of Karabakh may say,” said the minister. He also says that Armenia has always attached importance to the participation of Karabakh in the conflict peaceful settlement process: “Without the participation of Karabakh in any negotiations, which would work out any documents, it is hard to imagine any solution of problems.”