ArmInfo.Vice Speaker of National Assembly Edward Sharmazanov on December 6 received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Lithuania to Armenia Erikas Petrikas.
According to the press service of the Parliament, Sharmazanov stressed that Lithuania is the first country that recognized independence of Armenia and the only one from the Baltic countries that recognized Armenian Genocide.
The Vice Speaker of the National Assembly highly appreciated the bilateral Armenian-Lithuanian relations and said that he is preparing to pay a visit to Lithuania.
Eduard Sharmazanov referred to the November 24 Agreement on a comprehensive and expanded Armenia-EU partnership, stating that Armenia is the only country that is a member of the EAEU and signs an agreement with the EU. According to him, Armenia can become a reliable bridge between the member states of the EAEU and the EU. The Vice-Speaker of the Parliament addressed to institutional reforms, the development of democracy and the fight against corruption in Armenia.
Touching upon the problem of Artsakh, Sharmazanov noted: "Artsakh has never been part of Azerbaijan, having gained independence through referendum before the collapse of the Soviet Union." Artsakh has as many rights to independence as Armenia and Lithuania, since it separated from the USSR and declared its independence in the same legal bases. "
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Lithuania to Armenia Erikas Petrikas congratulated on signing the Agreement on Comprehensive and Extended Partnership of the Republic of Armenia- EU and characterized the relations between Lithuania and Armenia as exemplary. He noted that Armenia is the only member state of the EEA, with which Lithuania increased its exports.
According to the ambassador, although the trade turnover indicators are small, but the weight is both potential and the desire to cooperate. Petrikas turned to the achievements of the Armenian-Lithuanian cooperation in the field of economy, culture, education and noted with satisfaction that Lithuania among the countries-members of the Eastern Partnership places a great emphasis on deepening relations with Armenia. The Ambassador was happy to see the creation of the Lithuanian community in Armenia.