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On May 12 the NA Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov met with 35 journalists representing 24 countries, who had arrived Armenia on the initiative of the international organization “European Youth Media: Network” and the Armenian Center for Strategic Studies to take part in the educational seminars organized for the journalists.

The NA Deputy Speaker welcomed the young journalists, highlighting their mission in shaping the civil society, establishment and reinforcement of democracy in different countries.

Mr Sharmazanov touched upon the parliamentary elections, which was held in Armenia a week ago, which according to his assessment became a beginning of new turn of Armenia’s democratization and an irreversible factor predetermining the democratic developments of the country.

The NA Deputy Speaker conditioned the progress of our country and the efficiency of democratization by the youth activity and the opportunity of self-revelation created by the Armenian authorities for them. In Armenia the young people carry out their activity through NGOs and political organizations, students’ council, scientific companies, marz youth centers. He also conditioned the progress of the country by the creation of the science-based economy, where skilled, free, thinking and competitive young people should have their contribution.

Eduard Sharmazanov also answered the journalists’ questions, touching upon the regional developments, the importance of the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the steps taken by Armenia for the improvement of the Armenian-Turkish relations, the necessity of the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh problem, Armenia’s multi-vector and balanced foreign policy.

To his assessment, in the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide Armenia takes distinct steps not only because of the fact that everybody will know the historical truth, but also in order to prevent such crimes later: that should be one of the most important steps inclined to the protection of human rights for the international community.

Mr Sharmazanov also talked about Armenia’s readiness of establishing relations with Turkey without preconditions, bankruptcy of Turkish policy with Armenia in the language of preconditions and the necessity of solving the Nagorno Karabakh problem on the basis of international three principles: non-use of force and threat of force, regional integrity, right of the peoples’ self-determination and by the Minsk Group mediation.

In the journalists’ request, touching upon the direction of Armenia’s foreign policy, the NA Deputy Speaker said: “Armenia is a country on the path of democratization, in this aspect the European values are close to us, and the European integration policy adopted by us is irreversible. But it does not mean that Armenia is pro-European, or let’s say, pro-Russian or pro-American: Armenia pursues pro-Armenian policy. In this aspect our foreign policy is multi-vector and balanced.”