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The press conference of Armenian National Assembly Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov was held at the National Assembly on Wednesday, where he detailed the results of the official visit at the invitation of the heads of the parliaments of the Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on 11-17 March.

Sharmazanov noted that a number of meetings were held during his visit, and issues of bilateral interest were discussed. 

He said that during different meetings the sides touched upon the relations of our country with the Baltic countries, Armenia-EU cooperation, and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, the Armenian-Turkish relations, recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. 

He said that Baltic countries wish to develop the relations with Armenia at different levels. The parties referred to Armenia-European Union relationship. Sharmazanov noted that Armenia is ready to resume the political dialogue with the European partners as there is no alternative to democratic values in Armenia.

In some post-Soviet countries during the discussions on the existing conflicts, particularly, the settlement of the Karabakh conflict the NA Deputy Speaker reaffirmed that the Armenian side sees the settlement of the problem exclusively through peaceful means and there is no alternative to the NKR independence. 

Eduard Sharmazanov noted that the Azerbaijani side ignores at least two principles out of three - exercising the nations’ right to self-determination and the peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Regarding the Armenian-Turkish relations, it was noted that Armenia has been and remains a propagator for relations without preconditions. The NA Deputy Speaker clarified that Turkey not only did not ratify the Armenian-Turkish protocols, but acts with anti-democratic methods and until now continues the blockade of Armenia.

The NA Deputy Speaker said that in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia with the support of the heads of the parliaments of those countries exhibitions of photos and documents dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide were organized. He said that such exhibitions are also designed in Greece and Cyprus. In this context, he said that in the future the Latvian Parliament plans to discuss the draft statement condemning the Armenian Genocide. 

The NA Deputy Speaker expressed his gratitude to the heads of the parliaments of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, the Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, and all those who have supported the organization of the exhibitions.

The NA Deputy Speaker answered the journalists’ questions.