FOREIGN MINISTER NALBANDIAN LETTER TO SECRETARY

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000234

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR S/ES-CR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPDC PREL AM
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER NALBANDIAN LETTER TO SECRETARY
CLINTON


1. (U) FM Nalbandian called in CDA April 1 to hand over a
letter to the Secretary, in response to the her letter that
EUR DAS Matt Bryza had delivered to Nalbandian March 25.
Below is the verbatim text of the signed English-language
original, which was dated March 31, 2009.


2. (SBU) Text:

Dear Madame Secretary,

I was very glad to receive your letter in which you
emphasized your commitment to provide the utmost in achieving
a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We
have always valued the United States' constructive role as a
Co-Chair of the Minsk Group, and we will appreciate, Madame
Secretary, your substantial contribution at this important
moment of negotiations.

I would like to reaffirm Armenia's unwavering will to
strengthen stability and security and enhance cooperation in
the Caucasus. Our initiative and efforts towards
normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations have brought
promising results, and we are very close to the establishment
of diplomatic relations and opening of the common border. We
hope that the Turkish leadership will make a last decisive
step in this direction. Within this context, I would like to
express our gratitude to the United States for its continuous
support.

Armenia attaches great importance to our close relations with
the United States of America and is committed to enhance and
intensify our partnership. I would like to take this
opportunity to reiterate President Sargsyan's invitation,
extended to you during your telephone conversation, to visit
Armenia.

I look forward to meeting you at your earliest convenience
and to working closely with you for the benefit of our
peoples and for the deepening of the friendly relations
between our two countries.

Please, accept, Madame Secretary, the assurances of my
highest consideration.

Sincerely,
/s/
EDWARD NALBANDIAN

H.E. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
Secretary of State
Of the United States of America
Washington, DC

End Text
PENNINGTON