Edward Nalbandyan: Azerbaijani actions escalating the situation is a slap in face of international community

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan held yesterday, on December 11, an annual consultation with Armenian Ambassadors accredited to Europe and Permanent Representatives of Armenia in “Armenia” Center of the Armenian Embassy in Vienna, Foreign Ministry of Armenia said. 

Nalbandyan discussed with the ambassadors the implementation process of the instructions given by the President of Armenia and the performance of the tasks set by the MFA. He also summed up the work carried out in 2015 and gave corresponding instructions regarding work next year.

The consultation participants discussed cooperation in the framework of international organizations, the priorities of Armenia’s presidency in CSTO, cooperation within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the results of the 22nd OSCE Ministerial Council in Belgrade and Yerevan-hosted Ministerial Conference of the International Organization of Francophonie, as well as the recent developments in Armenia’s foreign policy.

Those present exchanged ideas about strengthening mutual relations with the European countries and launching talks on a new Armenia-EU framework agreement.

At the meeting, the importance of the further development of dialogue with European countries and institutions was stressed. The role of embassies in the development of inter-parliamentary ties was discussed. The meeting participants spoke about the expansion of decentralized cooperation, work done in the information field, etc.

The organization of events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide was also a subject of discussion. The participants summarized work done to achieve the international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide and prevent new crimes against humanity.  FM Nalbandian said in this connection: “The results oblige us to act in a more targeted and consistent way.”

The heads of Armenia’s diplomatic missions spoke about the ongoing processes in the countries of their accreditation and international organizations, as well as the measures aimed at promoting relations between Armenia and those countries.

The meeting agenda included issues such as the joint efforts of Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs on a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict, and the situation over the Karabakh conflict settlement following Azerbaijan’s provocative actions.  In this connection E. Nalbandyan said that the recent sharp escalation of situation by Azerbaijan in response to the call made in Belgrade by FMs of OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair states to reaffirm commitment to an exclusively peaceful resolution of the problem is a slap in the face of the Co-chair states and the international community.

The consultation participants discussed in detail work of the diplomatic representations on foreign economic policy and the measures taken to develop trade and economic ties  with partner countries.
They also touched upon a number of topical regional and international issues and Armenia’s approaches towards  their solution.