On June 22 in the National Assembly the delegation headed by Jorgen Kosmo, President of Storting, the Parliament of the Kingdom of Norway, where the Vice President of the Parliament, members of different parties met RA NA President Artur Baghdasaryan, Vice President Vahan Hovhannisyan, heads of factions and groups, chairmen and representatives of the committee.

Welcoming Jorgen Kosmo, President of Storting and delegation members, Artur Baghdasaryan, President of the National Assembly, highlighted their visit to Armenia, that being the first can be a basis for good cooperation. It was noted that in the National Assembly a parliamentary friendship group with the Parliament of Norway was set up, the cooperation in the international structures, in the sphere of economy, agriculture, science, education, culture was highlighted. NA President thanked the Norwegian Government for the activities of the Norwegian Refugees Council in Armenia and highlighted the continuation of the mission in Armenia. The efficiency of cooperation with the development of the agency of Norway was also noted. Artur Baghdasaryan also touched upon the regional problems, mentioning that Armenia is for the normal relations with all the neighbours and in favour of regional peace and establishment of cooperation.

Jorgen Kosmo, President of Storting of the Kingdom of Norway, expressed readiness to assist the cooperation development between two parliaments, as well as between the MPs and staffs in respect of exchange of legislative experience too. Highlighting the role and significance of Armenia in the region for the establishment of peace and cooperation, he highlighted the solutions of the existing problems in political way looking forward. He highlighted the deepening of democratic processes in the region and Armenia, also – Norway-Armenia industrial, cultural cooperation and expressed readiness to promote the establishment of regional ties.

Elaborating on the regional problems, Vahan Hovhannisyan, RA NA Vice President, reminded that not having diplomatic relations with Turkey, the land blockade of Armenia, the issues related to the conflict with Azerbaijan have one beginning – the 1915 Armenian Genocide, and the Norwegian people that knows well the price of freedom and civilization, can understand well the people of Nagorno Karabakh passing the road of democratic establishment and their struggle. NA Vice President noted that Armenia wouldn’t be against the membership of Turkey in the European Union if Turkey becomes a full European country.

Aghasi Arshakyan, MP of “Azgayin Miabanutiun” (National Unity) faction reminded those present about Fritjof Nansen, one of the greatest friends of the Armenian people and called on the Norwegian guests to understand and love Armenia like him.

During the meeting other problems of inter-parliamentary and inter-state relations were also discussed.