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On March 18 in the RA National Assembly the press conference of the RA National Assembly Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov was held, where he detailed the results of the official visit at the invitation of the heads of the parliaments of the Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on 11-17 March. Assessing the visit effective the NA Deputy Speaker has informed that a number of meetings were held, and issues of bilateral interest were discussed.

The NA Deputy Speaker has noted that during different meetings the sides touched upon the relations of our country with the Baltic countries, Armenia-EU cooperation, and the issue of the NK conflict settlement, the Armenian-Turkish relations, recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide.

The NA Deputy Speaker has documented that the Baltic countries wish to develop the relations with Armenia at different levels. The parties referred to Armenia-European Union relationship: the NA Deputy Speaker has noted that Armenia is ready to resume the political dialogue with the European partners, as there is no alternative to democratic values in Armenia. In some post-Soviet countries during the discussions on the existing conflicts, particularly, the settlement of the Karabakh conflict the NA Deputy Speaker has reaffirmed that the Armenian side sees the settlement of the problem exclusively through peaceful means and there is no alternative for the NKR independence. Eduard Sharmazanov has noted that the Azerbaijani side despises at least two principles out of three, the execution of the nations’ right to self-determination and the process of the peaceful settlement of the problem.

It has been noted on the Armenian-Turkish relations that Armenia has been and remains a propagator for relations without preconditions. The NA Deputy Speaker has clarified that Turkey has not only ratified the Armenian-Turkish protocols, but acts with anti-democratic methods and until now continues the blockade of Armenia.

The NA Deputy also has informed that in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia with the support of the heads of the parliaments of those countries exhibitions of photos and documents dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide were organized. He has informed that such exhibitions are also designed in Armenia and Cyprus. In this context he has informed that in future the Latvian Parliament envisages discussing the draft statement condemning the Armenian Genocide.

The NA Deputy Speaker has expressed his gratitude to the heads of the parliaments of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, the Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute and all those who have supported the implementation of the exhibitions.

The NA Deputy Speaker answered the journalists’ questions.