YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian arrived in Chicago on May 19 to attend the meeting—to be convened along the lines of  the Chicago NATO Summit—of the leaders of countries participating in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.

On the same day, Nalbandian and Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan met with the representatives from Chicago’s Armenian community, MFA informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.  

“Our country’s leader was invited to the meeting of the leaders of the countries participating in the ISAF in Afghanistan, and, on that occasion, the President was expecting to meet with you, too. 

[But] The Chicago Summit’s draft declaration includes a general formulation, with respect to the resolution of conflicts in the South Caucasus and in Moldova, which contradicts the [OSCE] Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ approach. This formulation could damage the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process and endanger the delicate situation in the region.       

Given this concern, Armenia’s President decided not to attend the Chicago meeting,” Armenia’s FM stated. 

Also, Edward Nalbandian presented the priorities of Armenia’s foreign policy and the Karabakh peace process, stressed the importance of the international recognition and condemnation of the Armenia Genocide, reflected on Armenia’s May 6 parliamentary election results, and underscored the American Armenians’ role in strengthening Armenian-American relations and Diaspora Armenians’ contribution to Armenia’s development.