Mirzoyan: Armenia`s development aspirations drastically affected by the consequences of a large-scale war, acts of aggression against its  sovereign territory

ArmInfo. The evolving global challenges undermine the efforts to maintain international peace and security, achieve sustainable development and uphold human rights. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated this at the  second meeting of the Group of Twenty Foreign Ministers (G20). He  first of all expressed his gratitude to Brazil for organizing the  open- ended meeting.

"Efficient and timely actions by the international community with the  renewed and reinvigorate UN at its forefront are imperative to  strengthen the multilateralism and build safe, prosperous and  sustainable future.  In this regard, the key priorities of today's  deliberations outlined in the concept note are more timely and  relevant," the Armenian minister added. 

At the same time, Mirzoyan noted that he represents a landlocked,  middle-income country, which in the recent years had to face  consequences of global and regional crises.  "Armenia has constantly  stressed the importance to address the needs of countries in special  situations by fostering  a global environment, where every country is  given the opportunity to implement its developmental aspirations  through targeted and tailored policies and support. Strong, inclusive  and effective multilateral financial institutions are essential to  this end.

Against the backdrop of the fragile global security, humanitarian,  economic and environmental situation, the international community  should draw special attention to the distinct structural  vulnerabilities of the countries in special situations and  middle-income countries in order to facilitate their access to  concessional finance and assist them to integrate into global  processes on equal footing in line with the commitments outlined in  the Addis Ababa Action Agenda," the top diplomat of Armenia added.

At the same time, he noted that mountainous countries such as Armenia  are hard hit by the consequences of the ongoing climate crisis. He  noted that climate change threats affect all aspects of sustainable  development, requiring concerted  climate action to ensure effective  mitigation and adaptation policies, as well as to addressing the loss  and damage. Mirzoyan expressed his conviction that the establishment  of sufficient, sustainable and predictable climate finance mechanisms  with the full engagement of different stakeholders is crucial to meet  commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and  the Paris Agreement. "Sustainable development cannot be achieved  without lasting peace. Today, we witness aggression, violent armed  conflicts, geopolitical tensions and mistrust in many regions of the  world seriously undermining the development progress.

Our region wasn't immune to such challenges. Armenia's development  aspirations were drastically affected by the consequences of a  large-scale war, acts of aggression against its sovereign territory  and influx of around 140,000 refugees, the entire indigenous  population of Nagorno-Karabakh.  These calamities couldn't overturn  the determination of the Government towards implementing its  ambitious reforms agenda, aimed at strengthening democratic  institutions, promoting human rights, rule of law, advancing gender  equality, and empowerment of youth," the Armenian Foreign Minister  said.

Mirzoyan also drew attention to the fact that the normalization of  relations with neighbors is one of the main priorities of the  Republic of Armenia. According to him, the Armenian authorities spare  no efforts to establish peace and stability in the South Caucasus.  "We have presented the initiative of the "Crossroads of Peace" that  aims at development of connectivity between Armenia and the  neighboring countries. . We are convinced that the unblocking of all  transport communications in the South Caucasus with full respect for  the state sovereignty, territorial integrity and principles of  equality and reciprocity, will open up new opportunities for the  movement of cargo and citizens, thus promoting political dialogue,  peace and prosperity in the region and beyond. We count on the  support of our international partners in advancing above mentioned  goals," the Minister emphasized.