Friday, March 2 2018 14:57

ArmInfo. Armenia expanded the geography of its relations, strengthened mutually beneficial cooperation with partner countries and friendly states. This is stated in the article of Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian on the occasion of the Day of the diplomat.

According to him, the Armenian-Russian strategic relations got a new  dynamic, marked by state visits of the heads of state of the two  countries. "Over 200 bilateral documents were signed, Russian  investments in the Armenian economy exceeded $ 3 billion, the number  of companies with Russian capital exceeded 2000.  The Russian  military base in Armenia and the Armed Forces of Armenia consolidated  the function of joint security of Armenia," the Armenian FM noted.

At the same time, he stressed that partnership relations with the  United States had risen to a qualitatively new level, a framework  agreement on trade and investment had been signed, US investments had  increased significantly, the visa regime for entering the United  States was simplified for Armenian citizens.  Nalbandian added that  good-neighborly and multi-pronged relations with Georgia and Iran  were consistently strengthened. At the same time, he stated that  Armenia's initiative to normalize relations with Turkey without  preconditions secured the unconditional support of the international  community. "Armenia was able to advance this process, remaining true  to the agreements reached, unlike Turkey, which could not find the  strength to get rid of stereotypes, violating the fundamental  principle of international relations:  pacta sunt servanda - the  agreements must be respected," the Armenian minister said.

The head of the Armenian foreign ministry added that Yerevan managed  to expand the traditional friendly partnership with France, Germany,  Greece, Cyprus, the Vatican, Italy, as well as a number of countries  in eastern and central Europe, Scandinavia and other European  countries. According to him, serious progress has been achieved in  relations with China, India, Japan and the Republic of Korea.  Nalbandian also noted that mutually beneficial cooperation was  established with the Arab world, the Asian region, Latin America, and  a number of African countries.

Nalbandian said that since the day of independence, among  the priorities of Armenia is the deepening of the country's  involvement in regional projects and international structures. "We  joined the Eurasian Economic Union, which was based on our strategic  and economic interests, and opens up serious prospects for the  development of our country." As an active member of the EAEU, Armenia  demonstrated with its realistic steps that it can also conduct  effective cooperation in other integration formats. In this sense,  the experience of Armenia is considered exemplary by the  international community. An important haven for Armenia-EU relations  was the signing of an agreement on an expanded and comprehensive  partnership, This reflects the entire strength of our partnership and  determines the directions for their deepening, "Nalbandian said.

He also reminded that in autumn of this year in Yerevan will be held  the 17th OIF summit - the largest event since the independence of  Armenia. The Armenian Foreign Minister said that the country's  involvement in the UN system has grown and in the order of 100  international organizations, of which Yerevan is a member.

He also added that new initiatives were marked by the Armenian  Chairmanship in a number of structures, including the CSTO, the BSEC,  Council of Europe.

Nalbandian also noted that various international structures,  including the EU, the Council of Europe, OSCE structures welcomed the  progress achieved by Armenia on the reform of democratic  institutions.  The Armenian Foreign Minister assured that issues  related to the protection of the rights and interests of his citizens  living abroad remain in the center of Armenian diplomacy. "Armenia  has established diplomatic relations with 175 states of the world and  abroad, and has about 70 representatives in international structures,  signed about 2000 international documents, more than 1000 high-level  visits were made. The assessment of success is possible by comparing  quantitative and qualitative indicators. The reality is, that now  Armenia can voice its position on different international platforms,  on issues that are important for themselves, and often on a number of  issues on the international agenda day, "Nalbandian said.