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On October 15 in the European Parliament the Third Congress of the Armenians of Europe continued the work, where members of the European Parliament, representatives of the Armenian community of Europe, the RA diplomatic missions and high ranking guests were taking part.

In the Congress the RA NA President Hovik Abrahamyan delivered a speech. Addressing the attendees he said:

“Your Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,

Your Excellency Mr Bako Sahakyan, President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,

Distinguished members of the European Parliament,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the participants of this important event – to members of the European Parliament, representatives of the Armenian organizations in Europe, as well as scholars, experts and attending guests. Your presence adds special significance of this forum. My special words of gratitude go to the European Armenian Federation, as the organizer of this event.

Being here, in the European Parliament, where elected parliamentarians of different countries and political parties represent the Europeans and also my compatriots living in Europe, I would like to use the opportunity to emphasise once again that the European direction continues to be one of the priorities of Armenia’s political agenda, particularly in the dimension of political development.

Years ago we set up a Standing Committee on European Integration in the National Assembly of the republic of Armenia. It had a significant contribution to Armenia’s European integration. I would like to assure you that it will not only continue its activities, but will assume more responsibilities, delivering large-scale work. Under present circumstances, the continuity of reforms in line with the European values and principles acquires much greater importance for Armenia. I also assure that the Armenian Parliament will take responsibility of being a leader in implementation of these reforms.

You all know that already for a quarter of a century, the Armenian people in their homeland – Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh live in conditions of economic, transport and energy blockade. Azerbaijan’s aggressive behavior, state-level Armenophobic policies and propaganda, as well as Turkey’s refusal to establish normal relations and recognize the Armenian Genocide make Armenia very sensitive to external threats, which obviously reflects on our foreign policy, moving issues of military, economic and energy security to the forefront.

The Armenian Genocide and aggression against the First Armenian Republic in the early 20^th century are not only the causes of immense casualties, territorial, material and cultural losses for our people, but also the main cause of our current unfavourable geographic location and limited potential for economic development.

Overcoming bitter historical memories, Armenia made an attempt to normalize its relations with neighbouring Turkey without any preconditions. The Armenian leadership took that step for which it was subjected to strong criticism from inside the country and from Diaspora. It took that step with the hope that our European American partners, who were encouraging that policy, would be in a position to secure a similar constructive approach from Turkey’s side. This did not happen, and there were no changes in Turkey’s anti-Armenian stance. As a result, Armenia was deprived of the opportunity to build direct bridges with Europe. It is obvious that Turkey’s uncompromising position is conditioned by the blackmail and pressure rendered by Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan’s elite’s aggressive ambitions based on petrodollars have become a serious obstacle on the way of regional development. This fact not only impedes the improvement of living standards of the people, but also permanently keeps the region in tension.

Nevertheless, neither the threats, nor the arms race instigated by Azerbaijani leadership, can obstruct the irreversible advance of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic to international recognition, supported by the efforts of Armenians across the world.

Every year, more and more politicians, members of parliaments, foreign delegations and simply tourists from every corner of the world visit Artsakh, personally witnessing the democratic reforms taking place in this country. They learn about people, whose independence from Azerbaijan in 1991 was attained through strict observance of the Constitution, international laws and principles. They learn about people, who having confronted large-scale Azerbaijani aggression, are building democracy today, people, who have finally achieved the right to be independently represented in the international arena, as an important factor of stability in the South Caucasus.

I am confident that this forum will have its role in shaping global public opinion, bringing us closer to the day of international recognition of Artsakh and establishment of lasting peace in the region.

On behalf of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, and on my own behalf, I wish you success in your undertaking, aimed at reinstating historical justice, establishing of long-lasting peace, and building an atmosphere of mutual trust in the region."

During the Congress the NKR President Bako Sahakyan, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, the Chairman of the EPP faction of the European Parliament Joseph Daul, the Chair of the European Union-Armenia Friendship Group Eleni Theocharous, the Chairman of the Hay Dat/Armenian Cause Office Gaspar Karapetyan, the Coordinator of the Armenian Cause Committees Hakob Ter-Khachaturyan and others delivered speeches.

On the same day in the European Parliament the RA NA President Hovik Abrahamyan met with the Vice President of the European Parliament Jacek Protasiewicz.

In the course of the meeting the sides discussed issues relating to Armenia-EU cooperation, touched upon regional problems, the peaceful settlement of the NK conflict and the Armenian-Turkish relations. Both sides highlighted the stability and security of the region.

Hovik Abrahamyan has noted that the European Union has been and remains one of the most important partners of Armenia, and our country is aimed at continuing the cooperation. In his word, the decision of Armenia to join the Customs Union does not mean at all suspension of the political dialogue with the European Union. The NA President noted that the European Union has been and remains one of the most important partners of Armenia, and within the framework of the Eastern Partnership the European rapprochement is one of the priorities of our foreign policy. Hovik Abrahamyan has stressed that Armenia will continue the process of deepening of democratic reforms. “We are ready to more deepen and expand our cooperation with the European Union in different directions and in all possible dimensions,” the NA President noted. In this context the political dialogue going on within the framework of the parliamentary cooperation was emphasized. Mr Abrahamyan invited the Vice President of the European Parliament to Armenia.

Thanking for the meeting and the invitation the Vice President of the European Parliament Jacek Protasiewicz highlighted the development of the European-Union-Armenia relations and expressed hope that the decision of Armenia to join the Customs Union will not impede Armenia-European Union further cooperation.

During the meeting the sides discussed other issues of bilateral interest, too.