“U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg’s visit to the region has nothing to do with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” Director of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies Richard Giragosian told reporters.

Steinberg is a new official in Obama Administration, but he is well aware of the region, the expert said. He will visit Yerevan and Tbilisi, but not Azerbaijan, which is evidence his mission has nothing to do with Karabakh. His message is addressed to Turkey to accelerate Armenia-Turkey Protocols’ ratification process, Giragosian said. Steinberg will also remind Turkey that it is expected to act.

February 4, James Steinberg starts his visit to Armenia. He will hold meetings with RA President Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian. Thereafter, the U.S. diplomat will leave for Tbilisi to meet Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and opposition representatives. February 5, Steinberg will arrive in Munch to participate in the conference and meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

L.A.