On November 14 the Speaker of the National Assembly Mr Hovik Abrahamyan received the Ambassador of Latvia to Armenia Mr Nils Janson.

Congratulating the newly appointed Ambassador the NA Speaker Mr Hovik Abrahamyan expressed confidence that he would promote the development and strengthening of the relations of the two countries and parliaments. The NA President highlighted the support of Latvia to Armenia’s processes of the European Integration as a member country of the European Union, noting that the experience of Baltic countries were effective and useful. NA President stressed also the development of trade-economic relations, noting that the volumes of the goods turnover did not correspond to the opportunities of the two countries. It was also noted that in the National Assembly in 2007 a Parliamentary Friendship Group with Baltic countries was formed, which could also have its important mission in making closer the inter-parliamentary relations. Highlighting the importance of the mutual visits and human contacts the NA Speaker expressed wish that the President of the Latvian Parliament would come to Armenia on an official visit to get introduced with the country and the work of the parliament.

According to the assessment of the Ambassador of Latvia to Armenia Mr Nils Janson, Armenia is one of the most attractive countries in the world with its beautiful and hospitable people, and it is situated in a complicated region, the strategic importance of which makes Armenia an important partner for Latvia. As a EU member country Latvia is willing to support Armenia within the framework of Eastern Neighbourhood Policy as far as it is possible. The Ambassador re-affirmed the invitation of the official visit of the Speaker of the Latvian Parliament to the NA Speaker, expressing hope that the visit would take place in the nearest future and give a new impetus to the strengthening of the relations. Getting aware of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Latvia in the National Assembly with satisfaction the Ambassador said that a similar group functioned in the Latvian parliament too, and in his turn he highlighted the MPs’ close contacts in the aspect of the development of relations. He confirmed that though his residence was in Vienna but he would frequently be in Yerevan and he considered his mission to promote the development of inter-state and inter-parliamentary relations as much as possible.

At the meeting the NA Speaker Mr Hovik Abrahamyan also touched upon the regional developments at the Ambassador’s request, ensuring Armenia’s willingness to have normal relations with the neighbours, in particular, regarding Turkey it was noted that repeatedly the second and third Presidents of Armenia announced about the establishment of relations without preconditions, but there were no responses from Turkey, which continued to keep close the border with the neighbour despite the intention to join the European Union. Regarding the solution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the adoption the Moscow Declaration was highlighted, which gave a basis to believe that Azerbaijan also was inclined to solve it through peaceful way in negotiation process, which always insisted on Armenia, taking into account the ongoing negotiations within OSCE Minsk Group framework.

The Ambassador of Latvia to Armenia Mr Nils Janson also mentioned that they looked with hope at the regional processes, expecting normalization of relations, which would create new opportunities of economic development for all countries. And Armenia’s wish for the peaceful settlement of the conflicts was sound also with the striving of the European Union to see safe and stable developing Eastern neighbours, promoting the development of the included countries within the framework of the New Neighbourhood Policy. He expressed confidence that such approach was the pledge of success.

At the meeting other problems were touched upon too.