“Trust and accountability among neighboring states are guarantees for sustainable cooperation and durable security in the region. We, in the South Caucasus, have yet to report on that,” RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian stated at the 64th session of the UN General Assembly.

“Our region, in fact, is among the most sensitive hot spots on the world's political map overloaded with almost a full set of security threats and challenges. The region is devastated by conflicts and interstate tensions, dividing lines and economic blockade. Closed borders and ruptured ties have become the norm of life. However, a courageous act and a courageous response hold the promise of changing the situation to the better,” the Armenian FM said.

“The process of the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations that started by the initiative of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan last September, known as &‘football diplomacy,’ promises to bear fruit despite all difficulties.

Over the past year with the help of our Swiss mediators and other international partners we have advanced towards opening one of the last closed borders in Europe and normalization of our relations with NO preconditions. We wish to be confident that the necessary political will can eventually leave behind the mentality of the past, and we hope that the wisdom and courage will prevail to make the last decisive steps,” stated Minister Nalbandian.

“We are well aware of the fundamental and positive implications of the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations and of the opening of the border for the security and stability of the region,” the Armenian FM said.