Armen Sarkissian: It is impossible to establish a long-term peace in  the region without a just settlement of the Karabakh conflict

ArmInfo. "I can say with confidence that the strengthening of our relations with Georgia is one of the important prerequisites for the security and development  of our country and the region," Armenian President Armen Sarkissian  said at a briefing with Salome Zurabishvili during his official visit  to Tbilisi.

According to the presidential press service, Sargsyan  said that a wide range of issues were discussed at the meeting with  his Georgian counterpart. "We successfully cooperate in the fields of  transport, energy, tourism, agricultural renewal and many other  areas. There is also a great potential for cooperation in the fields  of modern technologies, artificial intelligence, high technologies,  biotechnologies,cybersecurity, and food security. This cooperation is  bilateral and multilateral. I particularly stressed the need to  deepen cooperation between our countries in the fight against  COVID-19, " the RA President said, adding that efforts are being made  to strengthen cooperation at all levels.

At the same time, he stressed that the issues of regional security  and stability were discussed at the meeting, taking into account the  new realities created as a result of Azerbaijan's military aggression  against Nagorno-Karabakh with the active and open support of Turkey.

"I presented to my Georgian counterpart the approaches and views of  the Armenian side on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.   I emphasized that it is impossible to establish a long-term peace in  the region and ensure stability without a just settlement of the  Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including through the resumption of the  peace process within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group co -  chairmanship," Sargsyan said, also speaking about the huge  humanitarian problems caused by the war, including the need for an  immediate solution to the issue of the release of prisoners and  hostages by Azerbaijan.  At the same time, the President of Armenia  stressed the inadmissibility of Azerbaijan using the post-war  situation, pursuing a policy of hatred and infringement of national  dignity. According to him, such a policy cannot contribute to  creating an atmosphere of dialogue.

"During the meeting, I also touched upon the issues of preserving the  Armenian historical, cultural and cultural heritage in the  territories under the control of Azerbaijan. I would like to repeat  what the President said, and I think that with the cooperation of the  institutions of both presidents, we will be able to deepen modern  business relations between the two countries. Therefore, on the  Armenian side, I assure you that we will work with you to develop  business relations and make our contribution, " Sarkissian concluded.