Armenia's Foreign Minister speaks at the UN Summit on the Millennium Development Goals

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian started his visit to New York on September 21. At the UN headquarters the Armenian Foreign Minister participated in and delivered a speech at the summit dedicated to the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals.

Minister Nalbandian referred to the steps Armenia has taken and is going to take to meet the Millennium Development Goals. In this context Edward Nalbandian touched upon security issues in the South Caucasus. “Accepting that security and development are closely interrelated, in the Millennium Declaration governments assume to spare no effort to protect peoples from war both inside countries and between states. In this regard the proliferation of arms continues to pose threat not only to peace and security, but also to social and economic development. Unfortunately, such challenges exist in our region, as well,” he said.

“Azerbaijan continues to reject the proposal to reach an agreement on non-use of force or the threat of force. This contradicts the UN principles, the founders of which united to protect the coming generations from the danger of war. Today we see the bellicose position of Azerbaijan, the multiplication of its military budget, militant rhetoric and provocations, which jeopardize regional security and stability,” Minister Nalbandian stated.

“While we speak about the progress in the direction of reaching the Millennium Development Goals and share our concerns on the goals not yet achieved, there are peoples that stay out of the attention of the international community. The people of Nagorno Karabakh are doing the utmost to create proper living conditions and ensure the protection of human rights. And they are doing this without the support of the international community. Nagorno Karabakh continues to expect due assistance programs. We will not be able to say that all the Millennium Development Goals have been achieved and equality and justice have been ensured on the global level, unless we manage to prevent the harms caused to innocent people as a result of inaction,” Minister Nalbandian said.

Within the framework of the visit to New York Edward Nalbandian will have meetings with the UN leadership, as well as his counterparts from different countries and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. On September 25 Minister Nalbandian will make a speech at the UN General Assembly session. On September 26 the Armenian Foreign Minister will leave for Boston to meet representatives of the local Armenian community. The following day Edward Nalbandian is expected to make a speech at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

Public Radio of Armenia