ArmInfo. Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan continued to hold meetings in Munich, on the margins of the Security Conference, with foreign counterparts.
During the meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Mnatsakanyan discussed a wide range of issues on the bilateral agenda. Cooperation in the fields of energy, transport, tourism was emphasized. The parties also stressed the importance of enhancing tourism in a bilateral direction. At the meeting with Cyprus Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides, the sides expressed satisfaction with the multi-layered and friendly relations of the countries and the dynamics of interaction. Mnatsakanyan presented to his counterpart the priorities of Armenia's foreign policy, as well as the country's economic priorities. The Minister also noted that the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with the EU creates the basis for deepening relations with the EU countries.
During the meeting with Miroslav Lajcak, Foreign Minister of Slovakia the interlocutors discussed a number of issues related to the Armenian-Slovakian agenda. They expressed a commitment to expand bilateral cooperation through joint efforts.
Referring to the Armenia-EU partnership, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Miroslav Lajcak attached importance to the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between Armenia and the European Union as an important pivot for Armenia-EU relations.
The sides touched upon the collaboration of the two countries on international platforms. In this context, they discussed the process of implementation of the priorities of the Chairpersonship of Slovakia in the OSCE
Foreign Minister Mnatsakanyan presented to Miroslav Lajcak the approaches and the principled position of the Armenian side on the exclusively peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co- Chairmanship.
On the same day, Mnatsakanyan met with Fiona Hill, Senior Director of the US Security Council for Europe and Russia. The parties discussed issues of a bilateral and multilateral agenda. Emphasis was also placed on regional and international issues.
Mnatsakanyan and Jan Hecker, the foreign policy adviser of German Chancellor,discussed the issues of development of Armenian-German relations, touching upon the implementation of agreements reached during mutual high-level visits between the heads of both countries. The head of the Armenian Foreign Ministry expressed confidence that the positive dynamics recorded recently in relations between the countries creates excellent conditions for enriching the agenda of the Armenian-German mutual cooperation with new content. Among the most important areas, among others, were the spheres of high technology, creative education and innovation. The interlocutors also exchanged views on a number of topical regional issues. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan presented to Jan Hecker the approaches of Armenia to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
On the same day, Mnatsakanyan met with the Secretary General of the League of Arab States (LAS), Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Highly appreciating the traditional warm ties of the Arab world with Armenia, Minister Mnatsakanyan and Secretary General Aboul Gheit discussed the steps necessary for the further development of effective mutual cooperation. The interlocutors exchanged views on developments in the Middle East, the humanitarian situation prevailing in Syria and possible steps aimed at improving it. In this regard, the head of the Armenian Foreign Ministry noted that the humanitarian situation in Syria, in particular, the challenges the Armenian community faced, was constantly in the spotlight of Armenia, and Armenia intends to continue its contribution to the humanitarian mission on the spot. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Ahmed Aboul Gheit also touched upon a number of pressing international and regional issues.
During the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda, Richard Sezibera Mnatsakanyan assured that Armenia is committed to developing multilateral cooperation with the countries of the African continent, stressing the importance of the platform of international structures, in particular, the participating countries of Francophonie. The interlocutors discussed the further intensification of relations between Armenia and Rwanda and the prospects for expanding and enriching the bilateral agenda, outlining the joint steps necessary to fully realize the existing potential. The priority areas were highlighted in the digital economy, information technology and innovation. The Armenian Foreign Minister stressed Armenia's readiness to initiate programs aimed at sharing experience in these areas. Commenting on the successive steps of Armenia and Rwanda at international platforms aimed at preventing genocides and crimes against humanity, the foreign ministers of both countries stressed the importance of consolidating the efforts of the international community in the progress of the prevention agenda.
Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan also met with his Maltese counterpart Carmelo Abela. The agenda of meeting included a number of issues related to the organization of reciprocal high-level visits, active cooperation in international structures, expansion of legal the framework. Both sides highlighted the importance of boosting trade and economic collaboration, business contacts, as well as promoting cultural cooperation.
Zohrab Mnatsakanyan touched upon the steps aimed at creating favorable environment for Government's agenda, as well as the development of its driving force - the spheres of innovation and technology. In this regard, the Foreign Minister of Armenia briefed his interlocutor on the preparatory works for the World IT Congress to be held in Yerevan in October. Following the meeting Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Carmelo Arbela signed a Memorandum of Understanding on holding Political Consultations between the Foreign Ministry of Armenia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malta.
With his Sudanese counterpart Al Dirdiri Mohamed Ahmed, Mnatsakanyan exchanged views on the prospects for the development and enrichment of the bilateral agenda. Among the priority directions, the Armenian Foreign Minister noted the field of creative education, innovations and high technologies, stressing Armenia's readiness to initiate programs aimed at sharing experience. The interlocutors stressed the importance of the role of a small but active Armenian community in strengthening the bilateral agenda. The head of the Armenian Foreign Ministry noted that the expansion of relations between Armenia and African continent states is one of the most important priorities of the country's foreign policy, and the Armenian side is ready to take practical steps in this direction in order to develop and deepen multi-sectoral cooperation. The interlocutors also touched upon the prospects for cooperation within the framework of international organizations. Touching on the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan reaffirmed Armenia's commitment to an exclusively peaceful settlement of the conflict through the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group.