PRESS RELEASE
April 16, 2008

President Serzh Sargsyan Addresses Armenian Foreign Policy Agenda

On April 16, President Serzh Sarkissian introduced the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edward Nalbandian to the staff of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In his remarks, the President noted that defense and foreign policy have always been and will remain priorities for the state.

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 Armenia 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 Nagorno Karabakh 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 Karabakh, they are bitterly mistaken. The existence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh 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.