The fact that Carl Bildt, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, the EU chairing country, paid a visit to the South Caucasus after his country undertook EU presidency evidences the importance of the region to Sweden, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan stated at his meeting with Carl Bildt.

The Armenian President stated that, since the country got independence, Armenia has attached importance to its relations with the European Union (EU), the RA presidential press service reported. Presently, Armenia considers these relations an all-important component of its foreign policy.

Bildt agreed that his first visit to South Caucasus as EU chairing country evidences the importance of the region, its problems, as well as the significance of Eastern Partnership program.

The sides held a detailed discussion on regional problems, particularly the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Minister Bildt once again pointed out that the EU gives attention to a settlement of the conflict within the OSCE Minsk Group.

Recalling Mr. Bildt of his recent meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev, Sargsyan pointed out that the negotiations were held in a bit different atmosphere as the OSCE MG had released the principles under discussion. Armenian President called this fact certain assistance by the OSCE MG Co-Chairs, as the sides have not always publicized the negotiated issues.

“Despite this, after the Moscow meeting, Azerbaijan tries to again misrepresent the purport of the talks. Nevertheless, I wish to note that even with difficulties, but the progress is there. We are currently discussing some of the fundamental Madrid Principles. Further, we plan to move to the rest, and on this basis start elaborating the main agreement. I think it must already be clear for everyone that the status of Nagorno-Karabakh is a core issue. It must be determined through free expression of popular will and have mandatory legal effect. Once we properly format this issue, the negotiations will move forward even smoother,” President Sargsyan concluded.