Edward Nalbandian‬ presents the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2014

On January 26, ‪‎Annual‬ Press Conference was held by Foreign Minister, summarizing Foreign Policy in 2014 to which more than 50 news agencies were accredited. Press and information department of the RA Foreign Ministry informs about this. 

In his speech, Minister ‪‎Nalbandian‬, particularly, said:

“In 2014 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, based on the foreign policy guidelines and assignments outlined by the President of ‪Armenia‬, continued its activities aimed at the strengthening of the country’s external security component, maintenance of external favorable conditions and guaranties for the development of the country; increase of the number of Armenia’s friends on various continents, deepening of the engagement in the international organizations and processes; development of cooperation with friendly and partner countries; enhancement of Armenia’s reputation and position at the international arena; protection of the interests of the Republic and its citizens abroad; preservation of the Armenian cultural heritage, and implementation of initiatives towards the creation of positive agenda and those in line with our interests.

The most significant event was successful completion of the process of Armenia’s joining the Eurasian Economic Union (‪EAEU‬), which reflects Armenia’s strategic interests, creates new opportunities for the economic development of the state.

In 2014 together with the Co-Chair states of the ‪OSCE‬ ‪Minsk Group‬, Armenia continued joint efforts towards the exceptionally peaceful resolution of the ‪Nagorno- Karabakh‬ issue.
On the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the cease-fire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, bellicose rhetoric voiced by Azerbaijan, numerous flagrant violations of cease-fire regime, periodically recurring subversive acts along the borders between Armenia and ‪‎Azerbaijan‬ and the Line of Contact between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan gained new impetus, that together with destructive behavior by ‪Baku‬, statements that distort the essence of the negotiation process, rejection of the mediators’ proposals, did not enable to reach a progress both in reaching of an agreement over the basic principles of the settlement, and in realizing the calls of the international community on confidence-building measures.
In August, September and October the Co-Chair states, first ‪‎Russia‬’s President in Sochi, then the ‪‎USA‬ Secretary of State in New Port, and ‪‎France‬’s President in Paris organized Summit meetings with the Heads of Armenia and Azerbaijan aimed at ease of tension, prevention of further escalation of the conflict, and creation of favorable conditions to move forward the process of conflict settlement.

Shooting down of the helicopter of ‪NKR‬ Defense Army during a training flight, keeping the area of ‪‎helicopter‬ shooting under fire for 10 days, Azerbaijan’s criminal behavior of violating international humanitarian law considerably added to the tension, which received an appropriate reaction of the international community.

Armenian diplomacy continued to exert efforts to prevent further escalation of situation and to draw international community’s attention to adventurous policy pursued by Azerbaijan.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Armenia’s diplomatic missions together with ‪‎Diaspora‬ structures have continued exerting consistent effort towards the organization of events dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide both in Armenia and abroad, pursuing the implementation of the Armenia’s President’s assignments and instructions.
Continuous work towards the international recognition and condemnation of the ‪‎Armenian Genocide‬, towards prevention of crimes against humanity was carried out.

The year was marked by further strengthening and deepening of allied strategic relations with the Russian Federation. During periodic meetings of top leaders of the two states agreements of strategic importance were reached.

Friendly cooperation with the United States of America gained consistent development, visa facilitation agreement was reached.

The European direction continued to be one of the priorities on the foreign policy agenda. Continuous steps were undertaken both with European structures, and in bilateral framework through the deepening of multifaceted ties with the European states. Presidents of France and Greece paid state visits to Armenia.

Considerable work was carried out towards strengthening of friendly, mutually beneficial relations with neighbouring states – Georgia and Iran.

Armenia’s principled stance on the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations without preconditions continued to be supported by the international community. The Foreign Minister of Armenia attended the inauguration ceremony of the President of ‪‎Turkey‬, handed him the official invitation of the Armenian President to pay visit to Yerevan on ‎April 24‬, 2015.
Great attention was drawn to the on-going cooperation within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), development of bilateral relations with ‪CIS‬ member-states.

Armenia continued works towards deepening of cooperation with dynamically developing states of ‪‎AsiaPacific‬ region, namely, ‪‎China‬, ‎India‬ and ‎Japan‬. Interim Office of the Embassy of Japan was opened in Yerevan, and will start operating as Embassy of Japan from the turn of 2015.
The year was marked by the development of collaboration with traditionally friendly ‪Arab‬ states. Security of ‪Syrian Armenians‬, preservation of Armenian cultural and historic heritage in ‪‎Syria‬, assistance to the Syrian Armenians, who suffered from the consequences of events in ‪‎Kessab‬, ensuring appropriate reaction of the international community to the situation in Kessab remained amongst priority agenda issues.

From different international platforms Armenia raised the importance of the issues of violation of rights of ethnic and religious minorities by the extremists in the North of ‪‎Iraq‬, and the ‎Middle East‬, in general, as well as coordination of the international community’s efforts to protect them.
The geography of diplomatic ties continued to expand. In this context steps were undertaken towards the development of relations with a number of Latin American states.
Within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which constitutes the most important component of Armenia’s security, Armenia continued being an initiator and an active member.

Partnership with North Atlantic Treaty Organization developed continuously.

Armenia continued to deepen its engagement within the UN. Great attention was attached to the efficient participation of Armenia in on-going cooperation in the frameworks of the Council of Europe, OSCE, International Organization of La Francophonie, other international and regional structures. Armenia was elected as Vice-President of the UNESCO Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

Efforts were exerted towards the development of ties with international economic structures and financial institutions, deepening of trade and economic cooperation with different states, search for new markets for the export of Armenian products, attraction of foreign investments. Sessions of inter-state committees on economic cooperation, business-forums, expos of Armenian products were initiated and organized.

Development of inter-parliamentary ties with different states, participation of Armenia’s Parliament in multilateral parliamentary frameworks enjoyed comprehensive support by the MFA; important place was attached to the works towards the expansion of decentralized cooperation.

MFA continued to coordinate Armenia’s governmental agencies foreign affairs. Great significance was placed on the initiatives by the Ministry of Diaspora in the strengthening of Homeland-Diaspora ties, presentation of the Armenian culture, preservation of Armenian cultural heritage abroad and to the efforts of RA Ministry of Culture towards the establishment and development of cultural cooperation with other countries.

Protection of rights of the Republic of Armenia’s citizens in different states, issues of assistance to the citizens caught in crisis situations were on the spotlight of the MFA.

In 2014 the President of the Republic of Armenia paid 21 foreign visits; Armenia hosted 5 Heads of States. The President of the National Assembly paid 5 official visits and 3 Heads of other countries’ parliaments visited Armenia. The Prime Minister paid 7 foreign visits, Armenia hosted 1 Head of the Government. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia paid 34 foreign visits, Armenia hosted 11 Foreign Ministers and Heads of International organizations.

Works continued to be carried out to raise the international awareness on the positions of Armenian foreign policy, and to strengthen the image of our country.”

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