Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan`s refusal to take part in the NATO Summit in Lisbon by no means affected Armenia-NATO relations, British Ambassador to Armenia Charles Lonsdale told journalists.

He stressed it is the Armenian President`s prerogative to make decisions on accomplishment of Armenia`s strategic tasks. The Ambassador hopes for further development of Armenia-NATO ties. He considers Armenia-NATO cooperation effective. The Ambassador stressed NATO does not impose cooperation on any state, but is open to all the states seeking NATO membership. Ambassador Charles Lonsdale commended Armenia`s participation in the peacemaking missions in Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan refused to take part in the NATO Summit in Lisbon, Nov. 20, 2010. The reason was that the draft declaration of the Summit contained points on Nagorno-Karabakh unacceptable to the Armenian side.