Armenia Interested in Resolving Disagreements among Its Allies and Neighbors

It is in Armenia’s interest to resolve any current disagreement among its allies, partners and neighbors, Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian said when asked on a local Armenian TV program whether Armenia would succeed in the future in developing its relations with Iran, Georgia, the US, Russia, and the European Union given complicated Russo-Georgian relations and Iran’s issues with the US and the EU on its nuclear program.

“We seek deepening our strategic, allied relations with Russia far more. We want to extend our friendly partnership with the US, the European Union, the EU member states. As for what concerns the good neighborly relations and partnership with our neighbors Georgia and Iran, it is natural that we want to develop and assert them far more [too],” said Nalbandian.

Asked would Armenia be ready should those countries ask Armenia to act as a mediator, Nalbandian said that one shouldn’t overestimate Armenia’s abilities, though sometimes Armenia too happens to be able to assume the role of effective mediator.

“This was proven when negotiations on the opening of the Upper Lars checkpoint were held in Armenia. They [negotiations] succeeded. The negotiations were conducted through Armenia’s mediation, and today when the checkpoint is open we can say that it is a great success for Russia, for Georgia and, of course, for Armenia too,” said Nalbandian.