The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, on Wednesday delivered an address at the Special Meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Permanent Council.

Relating to Armenia’s cooperation with the OSCE and the European Union (EU), Nalbandian especially said as follows:

Armenia values the OSCE both as a norm setting and an implementing organization. We continue to closely cooperate with the OSCE institutions, including with the ODIHR and the Representative for Freedom of the Media. Their input in raising the democratic profile of Armenia is well-perceived in our country equally by the Government and civil society. Human dimension is mainstreamed in the activities of Yerevan Office which is currently the only full-fledged OSCE office in the South Caucasus. There have been positive developments regarding Armenia’s compliance with human rights instruments, democratic reforms, good governance, freedom of expression and assembly, free media and internet.

Mr. Chairman,

With regard to the evolving integration processes in the OSCE area, let me share our conviction that by employing more creativity and building our approaches on opportunities rather than incompatibilities, we can make best use of different integration formats and generate synergies while avoiding creation of new dividing lines.

As it is known Armenia recently joined the Eurasian Economic Union, which reflects our strategic interests, creates new opportunities for the economic development of the state.

Currently we are working with our EU colleagues to identify the scope of our future legal framework that will reflect the essence of our cooperation, building upon the progress that we have achieved. Armenia is ready in all formats, in all possible areas and directions to continue its comprehensive cooperation, which do not contradict our commitments in other integration processes.