YEREVAN. – Armenian National Assembly (NA) Deputy Speaker, and Armenia-Estonia Parliamentary Friendship Group leader, Eduard Sharmazanov on Friday met with Estonian Ambassador to Armenia, Priit Turk, whose diplomatic residence is in Tbilisi.  

Sharmazanov noted with delight that Armenian-Estonian ties are progressing on a positive track, NA press service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. He informed that an Armenian-Estonian friendship group is established in the Armenian parliament, and added that the group has invited its Estonian colleagues to Armenia. The NA vice chairman informed that the NA speaker is scheduled to visit Latvia and Estonia this year, and this will create strong foundations for enhancing Armenian-Estonian relations.

In his turn, the Estonian ambassador noted that the avenues for developing cooperation between both countries were underscored during his discussions with Armenia’s president and FM. He informed that the Estonia-Armenia Friendship Group members are slated to visit Armenia in May, and, also, a delegation led by the head of the Estonian parliament’s foreign relations committee likewise will visit Armenia this spring.  

Reflecting on Armenia’s measures being taken toward EU integration, the Estonian ambassador recorded that Armenia is one of the flag bearers in the respective negotiations, and informed that the Estonian authorities express a readiness to assist in the further development of these processes. 

The NA deputy speaker assured that Armenia’s ongoing democratic reforms are not out of self-interest.

“They stem from the interests of our people and the prospect for the development of our country,” Sharmazanov said.

The interlocutors also discussed Armenian-Turkish relations, and the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. Vice chairman of the Armenian parliament highly appreciated the Estonian authorities’ balanced stance with respect to the Karabakh issue, and noted that the people of Karabakh themselves should determine their own future. In this respect, the Estonian ambassador reaffirmed that there is no alternative to a peaceful resolution of the conflict. 

Eduard Sharmazanov also reflected on Armenia’s forthcoming presidential election, and reassured that the country’s authorities are doing their utmost to hold a free, fair and transparent voting, which also meets democratic standards.