NB8 countries support efforts to achieve a stable peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan

ArmInfo. On December 5, within  the framework of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Valletta, Armenian  Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with the foreign ministers and  representatives of the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) countries. A joint  meeting in this format was held for the first time during the current  Swedish chairmanship.  As reported by the press service of the RA  MFA, the meeting was attended by Swedish Foreign Minister Maria  Stenergaard, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, Latvian Foreign  Minister Baiba Braze, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eiden  and representatives of other countries participating in the format.

A joint press release was issued following the meeting. It stated  that the Nordic-Baltic Eight countries reaffirmed their mutual  interest in strengthening relations and expressed strong support for  Armenia's efforts to enhance ties with the EU and its European  partners. Armenia shares democratic values and respect for human  rights, which are the cornerstone of both the Nordic-Baltic Eight and  European communities. The NB8 countries highly value Armenia's  commitment to democratic reforms and will persist in supporting its  reform efforts.

The NB8 states are looking forward to the adoption of a new and  ambitious partnership agenda between Armenia and the EU in line with  the European Council conclusions of October 2023 on strengthening  Armenia-EU relations in all areas. The Nordic and Baltic countries  recognize the OSCE's commitment to ongoing cooperation with Armenia  on all three  security platforms. The Nordic-Baltic Eight countries  support efforts to achieve a stable peace agreement between Armenia  and Azerbaijan based on mutual respect for sovereignty and  territorial integrity, in accordance with the Alma-Ata Declaration of  1991 and welcome initiatives, including the Crossroads of Peace  program, aimed at stimulating regional ties and economic cooperation.   It should be noted that the Nordic-Baltic Eight format includes  Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Denmark, Norway