Armenia ready to closely cooperate with non-alignment movement 

ArmInfo.On October 16, in Kampala, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Robert Abisogomonyan participated and delivered remarks at the 19th Midterm Ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia in his speech particularly noted:

"Distinguished Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Government  of Uganda for organizing the 19th Midterm Ministerial Meeting of the  Non-Aligned Movement in Kampala. We appreciate the leadership of H.E.  Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, in his  capacity as Chair of the NAM, for promoting the Movement's role in  global affairs.

We also thank Uganda for extending an invitation to the Republic of  Armenia as an observer state to participate in this Midterm  Ministerial Meeting of NAM. It is noteworthy that this is the first  time in six years that Armenia is delivering an address at an  official NAM meeting. We value the adherence to the NAM's principles  and rules, as enshrined in the Cartagena Document on Methodology, and  appreciate Uganda's efforts in ensuring inclusivity and respect for  diverse voices within the Movement.

In the current geopolitical landscape, when multilateralism is  increasingly undermined, trust between states is eroding and  international law is challenged, Armenia believes that international  platforms should mobilize their efforts to ensure an adequate and  timely response. We must remain firm in rejecting the use of force  and any action that violates the sovereignty and territorial  integrity of states.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

One of the central topics of the Kampala Declaration and the NAM  agenda as a whole is the question of Palestine. In this regard,  Armenia has continuously emphasized that only two independent  neighboring states can guarantee lasting stability, security, peace  and prosperity for both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples, where  all enjoy the benefits of peaceful coexistence. With this in mind and  as a longstanding supporter of the two-state solution, Armenia  recognized the State of Palestine in June 2024 and subsequently,  during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, established  diplomatic relations. Armenia actively participated in the High-level  International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question  of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution,  co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia and supported its outcome  document - the New York Declaration. We welcome the agreement on a  ceasefire in Gaza, which ensures unimpeded humanitarian access and  the release of hostages. Most importantly, negotiations must remain  the only viable means of achieving a lasting and dignified peace in  the Middle East based on the Two-State Solution.

Mr. Chair,

Armenia remains fully committed to sustaining peace, stability and  prosperity in the South Caucasus. The trilateral meeting held in  Washington D.C., on 8 August this year resulted in the initialing of  the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations  between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan and  the signing of a Joint Declaration by the Prime Minister of Armenia,  the President of Azerbaijan, and the President of the United States  as a witness. This marks the establishment of peace in our region,  opening up new opportunities for political dialogue, trade and  investments, including with NAM Member States.

We are confident that the full opening of transport communications  will unlock the region's vast transit and trade potential.  Furthermore, the implementation of the "Crossroads of Peace"  initiative and its integral component, the TRIPP connectivity  project, will generate new opportunities for economic growth,  dialogue and people-to-people contacts, thus contributing to broader  stability and prosperity. These initiatives reflect Armenia's vision  of transforming our region into a bridge between markets and  cultures, founded on peace and cooperation. We count on the support  of the Non-Aligned Movement to the "Crossroads of Peace" initiative  and the TRIPP connectivity project.

Last, but not least, in October 2026 Armenia will host the 17th  Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.  For two weeks our capital, Yerevan, will become a center of global  environmental negotiations on such key topics as the Global Review of  the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, resource  mobilization, and inter-linkage between climate change and  biodiversity conservation. The Armenian Presidency will spare no  effort to ensure that COP17 is a truly inclusive, multi-stakeholder  endeavor, bringing together governments, international organizations,  indigenous peoples and local communities, civil society and private  sector to shape efficient and result-oriented actions for  biodiversity protection.

To conclude, Mr. Chair, let me emphasize the readiness of the  Republic of Armenia to work closely with the Non- Aligned Movement  and its Member States to further our common and shared goals of  peace, mutual respect, non-use of force and international  cooperation.

Thank you."