YEREVAN. – An Armenian delegation, led by National Assembly (NA) Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan, attended on Thursday in Strasbourg, France, official opening of the European Conference of Parliament Presidents.   

Also on the same day, Abrahamyan held a bilateral meeting with Norbert Lammert, President of the German Bundestag, NA press service informs.

They discussed Armenian-German cooperation, interparliamentary ties, and regional matters.

Hovik Abrahamyan underscored the need to develop collaboration with Germany. He noted with delight that the interparliamentary relations are developing very actively, and emphasized the necessity to enhance interaction. They also pointed to cooperation within international organizations.    

Reflecting on Hungary’s extradition of Ramil Safarov to Azerbaijan, Armenian NA chairman noted that this Hungarian-Azerbaijani arrangement could adversely affect not solely the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiation process, but, also, the regional peace, stability, and security. In his words, the international community gave an appropriate response to this incident.   

German Bundestag President Norbert Lammert likewise underscored the need to develop bilateral relations and interparliamentary ties between the two countries. He noted that Germany gives great emphasis to deepening relations with Armenia.  

Also, Lammert considered Azerbaijani authorities’ pardoning and subsequent release of Ramil Safarov to be impermissible. He expressed a conviction that there is no country—or international organization—in Europe, and in the rest of the world, that will not deem this incident to be unacceptable and deplorable. 

The interlocutors also discussed other matters of bilateral interest.