PRESS RELEASE                                                      
July 14-16, 2008

Foreign Minister Nalbandyan Visits Washington, DC

Foreign Minister of Armenia Mr. Edward Nalbandyan visited the United States on July 14-16, 2008 for high level meetings with the U.S. leadership. The Foreign Minister had meetings with the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Deputy National Security Adviser James Jeffrey, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the House of Representatives Howard Berman, co-chairman of the Armenian Caucus of the House of Representatives Joseph Knollenberg, Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary of State David Kramer, US Co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza, Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Ambassador John Danilovich, heads of the Armenian National Committee of America, Armenian Assembly of America, USA-PAC and others. During these meetings he was accompanied by Ambassador Tatoul Markarian.

The US Secretary of State and Armenia’s Foreign Minister noted that the strong background of US-Armenia relations allows to enhance the cooperation between the two countries.

With the Deputy National Security Adviser James Jeffrey the Minister discussed US-Armenia, Armenia-NATO security cooperation, and regional security issues.

During the meetings with the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives Howard Berman and the Cochairman of the Armenian Caucus of the House of Representatives Joseph Knollenberg the Minister expressed appreciation for their support for Armenia and Armenian issues.