On January 20 RA NA President Mr Hovik Abrahamyan received U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Mr Matthew Bryza at the latter’s request. U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Ms Marie L. Yovanovitch attended the meeting.

Mr Bryza congratulated Mr Hovik Abrahamyan on the election in the office of NA Speaker and wished success, emphasizing the role of the parliament in the development of the democracy of the country.

Welcoming the guests Mr Abrahamyan highlighted the further development and strengthening of the Armenian-American relations. The NA President noted that the National Assembly should be a rostrum of pluralism and constructive criticism for all political forces.

Touching upon the problem of the settlement of the core issue the NA President re-affirmed the position of Armenia for the peaceful settlement of the issue, at the same time drawing attention to the bellicose calls of Azerbaijan, which do not promote the peaceful settlement process. Mr Abrahamyan highlighted in the context of the settlement of the issue the priority of the right of the nations’ self-determination: the land connection of Karabakh with Armenia and the international guarantees of the NKR people’s security, as well as the participation of the NKR authorities’ negotiation process. The NA President highly assessed the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group in the direction of the peaceful settlement of the problem, highlighting the solution of the issue within OSCE framework.

In the context of the regional peace and security Mr Abrahamyan considered important the Armenian-Turkish dialogue and the development of the relations with all neighbouring countries.

Touching upon the activity of the Ad-Hoc Inquiry Committee on the Events Occurred on 1-2 March 2008 in Yerevan and Their Reasons and the Fact-finding Group, the NA President highlighted the introduction of unbiased and objective conclusion, which would promote the public dialogue and the restoration of the atmosphere of confidence in the country. The sides touched upon the procedure of the fulfillment of PACE 1609 and 1620 resolutions.

Mr Bryza welcomed the activity of the Ad-Hoc Inquiry Committee on the Events Occurred on 1-2 March 2008 in Yerevan and Their Reasons and the Fact-finding Group, highlighting the necessity of introducing the complete and unbiased conclusion to the public.

Mr Bryza noted with assessment the brave initiative of RA President Mr Serzh Sargsyan by inviting the President of Turkey Mr Abdullah Gul to Armenia.

The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair emphasized with satisfaction the constructive inclination of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan directed to the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh issue, noting that the Co-Chairs see the solution of the issue only by peaceful settlement. Mr Bryza also highlighted the NKR participation in the negotiation process.

At the end of the meeting the issue of the continuity of the Millennium Challenge Corporation was discussed in detail. The sides also touched upon other issues of bilateral interest.