Welcoming the guests, the NA leader noted that Armenia’s relations with NATO are the central components of the European integration policy, appreciating the cooperation with the NATO and participation in the Partnership for the Peaceful Program as an important component of Armenia’s multi-layered security system.
In Abrahamyan’s words, Armenia plans to maintain and develop the current rates of cooperation, paying special attention to the implementation of the Armenia-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan, and its involvement in the international peacekeeping actions with the participation of NATO.
Talking about the parliamentary format of Armenia-NATO relations, Abrahamyan highlighted the cooperation with the Assembly and the participation of the Armenia NA delegation in its activities. According to him, Armenia’s participation in the programs of NATO and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly promotes the democratic and institutional reforms in Armenia.
José Lello, Head of the NATO PA delegation and Chairman of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Political Affairs, underscored the visit of the delegation to Armenia and the Armenia-NATO cooperation as well as the cooperation within the framework of the Individual Partnership Action Plan. He highly assessed the role and significance of the parliament in the relations with the North Atlantic Alliance, emphasizing the active participation of Armenia in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, and the role of parliamentary diplomacy.
At the meeting the sides conferred on regional security, Armenian-Turkish relations, and Armenia-EU cooperation. The NA speaker stressed that Armenia adheres to the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.
“War has never resulted in any good thing anywhere causing human and material losses. Despite our position, Azerbaijan has constantly voiced at the highest level bellicose announcements, which have become more active especially in the recent period,” Abrahamyan said. He noted that Armenia highly appreciates NATO’s position on the Karabakh peace process, which will continue solely within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.
Reflecting on Armenia’s future accession to the Customs Union, the NA leader noted that this will not undermine Armenia’s political dialogue with the European Union, and the country will continue to be committed to universal values joining us and will carry on making efforts in the deepening of political dialogue for the provision of continuity of democratic reforms and the protection of human rights.
Referring to the crisis of Syria and the events occurring in Syria’s predominantly Armenian-populated town of Kessab, Hovik Abrahamyan expressed a deep concern and condemned these events in Kessab.
“The invasion into Kessab was done from the territory of Turkey, which is a NATO member country. I believe the international community should raise its voice for the protection of the rights of the national minorities and for the provision of the physical security of the Armenians living in Kessab,” Hovik Abrahamyan said.
