ArmInfo.Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan met with his counterparts from Romania Teodor Melescanu, India Sushma Swaraji, Madagascar Eloi Maxime Dovo and Vanuatu Ralph Regenvanu on September 26 in New York on the sidelines of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly
As the press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry told ArmInfo, the Armenian minister discussed with his counterpart from Madagascar the interaction at various venues. Mnatsakanyan stressed that Armenia attaches importance to expanding all-round partnership with the African continent and is ready to take practical steps to use the existing potential in this direction.
The sides discussed the steps to develop bilateral relations, touched upon the forthcoming summit of the OIF in Yerevan, preparatory works and planned events. In this context, Mnatsakanyan spoke about the priorities of the RA presidency in the International Organisation of La Francophonie. The same issues were discussed with counterparts from Romania and Vanuatu.
At the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania, the Armenian Foreign Minister expressed readiness to implement practical steps to deepen cooperation in a number of areas. The sides touched upon the Armenia-EU comprehensive and expanded partnership agreement, from the point of view of developing partnerships between Yerevan and Brussels, as well as with the EU member states. It was agreed to take steps to more efficiently fulfill the potential that exists in the trade and economic sectors between the two countries, in particular, the revitalization of the activities of the intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation. Mnatsakanyan also spoke about Armenia's priorities in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The two sides agreed that the conflict should be settled peacefully through negotiations. The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and India agreed that there is a serious potential between the countries to present ambitious projects and raise mutually beneficial cooperation to a more practical field. In the matter of promoting the bilateral agenda, the parties highlight the role of the intergovernmental commission. Mnatsakanyan spoke about the commitment of the Armenian government based on the people's mandate to continue the reform process in the country, aimed at strengthening human rights, justice, the rule of law, providing equal opportunities in the economic and social sectors, and fighting corruption. Presenting the agenda of Armenia's development, and the underlying achievements of the country in the field of information technologies and innovations, Mnatsakanyan added that education plays an important role in this. He also expressed gratitude to the Government of India for the assistance provided in this direction.
The interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the level of interaction within the international structures, as well as the promotion of each other at various platforms. The sides exchanged views on topical issues, regional problems and approaches to their solution, and agreed that there is no alternative to a peaceful settlement of conflicts.
At the same time, Mnatsakanyan and Regenvanu discussed at the meeting in New York both bilateral and multilateral issues, stressing the importance of active and efficient cooperation within the framework of international structures. The two sides exchanged views on cooperation within the framework of the OIF.