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Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Monday had a meeting with his Romanian counterpart Bogdan Aurescu. The meeting started with tête-à-tête, then continued in an expanded format with the participation of two delegations, the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported.

After the meeting the ministers signed the “Joint Action Plan between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania for 2023-2024”. A joint Armenian-Romanian postage stamp, dedicated to Romanian-Armenian famous doctor Ana Aslan, was also inaugurated in the presence of the Ministers.

The ministers held a joint press conference. In his remarks Minister Mirzoyan noted:

“Dear Mr. Minister,

Dear colleagues,

First of all, I would like to thank my dear colleague Mr. Bogdan Aurescu for the warm welcome and fruitful discussions.

Today, we had an opportunity to discuss a wide range of topics of bilateral cooperation between Armenia and Romania. We signed the joint action plan between the ministries of foreign affairs of the two countries for 2023-2024. Building on the path our countries have passed since their Independence, we expressed our strong willingness to further enhance the bilateral agenda. Further expansion of the legal framework, regular political consultations as well as enhanced cooperation in cultural, educational and scientific spheres will surely serve that goal. We have expressed our readiness to undertake steps also towards the realization of the full potential in economic relations and business ties.

It is noteworthy that the bilateral relations between our two countries are shaped also by the centuries-old ties between Armenian and Romanian peoples. In this context I would like to emphasize the important role and contribution of the Armenians in Romania and express our gratitude to the Romanian authorities for their caring attitude towards the Armenian community and its cultural and religious heritage. One of the most vivid examples of it was the adoption of the law declaring October 12th as the “Day of the Armenian Language, Alphabet and Culture”. 

Dear attendees,

Proceeding to the Armenia-EU partnership, several important topics of our expanding cooperation were on the agenda of our meeting, including the Armenia-EU Political and Security dialogue and the effective implementation of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. We also exchanged views on our collaboration within the framework of the Eastern Partnership as well as the European Political Community. 

I would like to emphasize that the sending of EU monitors to the Armenian side of the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the immediate aftermath of the Azerbaijani aggression against Armenia in September 2022 and later the deployment of the longer-term EU civilian monitoring mission is an EU important engagement in our region.  We see it as a valuable tool to enhance human security on the ground, to contribute to peace and stability in the region. I would like to specify that we appreciate Romania’s valuable contribution to the EU respective discussions.

Dear colleagues,

Continuing the topic of regional security and stability, I should mention that we touched upon the recent developments in the South Caucasus. I briefed my colleague on the existential challenges and threats that both the Republic of Armenia and the people of Nagorno-Karabakh are facing.

Regrettably, the blockade of the Lachin corridor since December 2022, intimidation as well as other actions of Azerbaijan aimed at forcing the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh to leave their homes, the systematic policy of ethnic cleansing are the response of Azerbaijan to the calls of the international community to address the issue of the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Along with many targeted calls and demands of international bodies, I would like to stress the legally binding Order of the International Court of Justice issued on 22 February against Azerbaijan. The Court has found that there is an imminent risk of irreparable harm to Armenians’ rights under the Convention for Elimination of Racial Discrimination and ordered Azerbaijan to take all the necessary measures to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin corridor in both directions.

It should be mentioned that the illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor is not the only blatant violation of the November 9, 2020 Trilateral Statement. There is almost no single provision of the Statement that isn’t violated by Azerbaijan. Along with the continuously holding of the Armenian prisoners of war as hostages as well as demands of an extraterritorial corridor through the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, Azerbaijan fails to ensure that “internally displaced persons and refugees shall return to the territory of Nagorno Karabakh and adjacent regions under the control of the Agency of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.”

Furthermore, Azerbaijan continues its hate speech and the warmongering rhetoric on the highest level as well as systematic aggressive actions on the ground and the occupation of around 150 sq km of the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia.

We believe that our partners, the international community have an important role to play by using the respective tools and mechanisms, including sending an international fact-finding mission to the Lachin corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Dear colleagues,

Armenia has repeatedly announced its readiness for constructive dialogue with Azerbaijan in an environment free from hate speech, preconditions and warmongering rhetoric, for the sake of sustainable peace and security in the South Caucasus. Armenia has strong political will to reach peace and stability in the region, and despite all difficulties we continue the talks with Azerbaijan in good faith.

Dear Minister,

Thank you once again for today’s sincere conversation. I am genuinely interested in continuing our dialogue to give a new impetus to widening the agenda of the relations between our two countries.

Last but not least, dear Bogdan, I extend my invitation to you to visit Yerevan at your earliest convenience".