Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward Nalbandian, who has arrived in Ljubljana, on Monday met with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia Karl Erjavec.

Welcoming the Foreign Minister of Armenia, the Foreign Minister of Slovenia commended the excellent friendly Armenian-Slovenian relations, expressing hope that Nalbandian’s visit will bring new impetus to the development of bilateral relations.

Expressing gratitude for the invitation to visit Slovenia and for the good wishes, Minister Nalbandian noted that Armenia is willing to deepen cooperation in different domains with Slovenia, and that this is the main message of his visit.

During the talks, the ministers reflected on a wide range of issues on the bilateral agenda.

Edward Nalbandian and Karl Erjavec agreed on exerting further efforts to activate political dialogue, enhance interaction within international organizations, hold periodic consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, expand the legal framework, and develop trade and economic cooperation.

Attaching importance to the activation of interparliamentary ties, the sides agreed upon suggesting the Parliaments of both states to establish Friendship Groups. Activation of cultural exchanges, cooperation in science and education, and establishment of decentralized cooperation were on the agenda of the meeting of Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Slovenia.

The ministers also touched upon Armenia-European Union cooperation. In this context, Foreign Minister Nalbandian reaffirmed Armenia’s readiness, based on reached achievements over the recent years, to deepen comprehensive cooperation in all possible areas, taking into account Armenia’s commitments in other international, integration frameworks.

The Foreign Minister of Armenia also reflected on the Armenian Genocide Centennial commemorations to be held in Armenia and abroad.

Minister Nalbandian also briefed Minister Erjavec on the latest developments in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, efforts exerted by Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to achieve a resolution of the Karabakh-Azerbaijani conflict. In this context, Deputy Prime Minister of Slovenia reaffirmed his country’s unconditional support to the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and on the basis of the proposals by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

The parties also exchanged views on a range of pressing international and regional issues, such as the Ukrainian crisis, and the developments in the Middle East and the Iran Nuclear Program.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward Nalbandian invited his counterpart to pay visit to capital city Yerevan.

The ministerial meeting was followed by a joint news conference.

On the same day, Edward Nalbandian delivered an extended lecture at the University of Ljubljana, and on the foreign policy of Armenia. After the address, the Foreign Minister of Armenia answered numerous questions posed by those in attendance.