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On January 24, the members of the RA NA Standing Committees on Foreign Relations and on European Integration met with the delegations led by the Presidents and Vice Presidents of the parliaments of Nordic-Baltic Eight counties cooperation format.

“We have come to Armenia during historic period, as your people have chosen the path to the European Union. It is important that the standards in Armenia be improved, the role of civil society strengthened, and necessary reforms implemented. We are ready to help you with advice, experience, diplomatic work, and practical steps to make that path easier for you,” the Speaker of the Saeima of Latvia Daiga Mieriņa said.

The Chair of the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Sargis Khandanyan, expressing gratitude to the delegation for visiting Armenia, noted that this visit shows that the Nordic-Baltic Eight countries support the agenda of the democratic reforms being implemented in Armenia. “I think it is also a clear support for the political resilience of Armenia,” the MP underscored.

The Chair of the Standing Committee on European Integration highly appreciated the position of the countries included in the delegation on the issues regarding the regional security. Arman Yeghoyan valued the support being shown to our country within the framework of the European Peace Facility, which is important not only in financial, but also in political aspect. Speaking about the importance of the EU Observation Mission, the Committee Chair expressed hope that a decision will be made in the EU Council to extend the Mission mandate.

At the meeting the members of the committees highlighted the importance of deepening relations with both the European Union and its member states and expanding cooperation in a number of spheres, spoke about the launch of the dialogue on the RA-EU visa liberalisation and touched upon the negotiation process of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan.

The representatives of the opposition Armenia and With Honor Factions spoke about the Armenian prisoners of war and other detainees held in Baku, and emphasized the importance of active steps taken by international partners in that regard.