YEREVAN. – Armenian National Assembly (NA) Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov on Friday received Estonian parliament members Igor Gryazin, Siim Kabrits, and Maret Maripuu. 

They discussed the development of Armenian-Estonian ties, the Armenian NA press service informs. The interlocutors recorded that the current level of economic cooperation between both countries is insufficient, and therefore they explored the opportunities for organizing joint business forums to fill this gap.    

Highly evaluating the prospects for the development of Armenia’s collaboration with the European Union, the Estonian MPs expressed willingness to assist Armenia in its European integration.

The parties also examined regional security issues. Sharmazanov assured that Armenia holds the view that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict needs to be resolved by way of peace talks alone, and stressed that there is no alternative to the international recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. He highly appreciated the Estonian authorities’ balanced position on the Karabakh issue. 

The NA vice-chair noted that the Armenian authorities are steadfast in the continuation of democratic reforms in the country.  

Eduard Sharmazanov and the Estonian MPs also discussed the mutual visits between the parliamentary friendship groups of the two countries, the Armenian and Estonian MPs’ collaboration within international organizations, international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and Armenian-Turkish relations.