1 / 2

On May 24, the Chairman of the RA NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Artak Zakaryan received the newly appointed Ambassador of Australia to RA Peter Tesch, who is in Armenia on the occasion of handing the credentials.

Welcoming the guest Artak Zakaryan highlighted the development of the inter-parliamentray relations of the two countries, talked about the work of the Friendship Groups functioning in the parliaments of Armenia and Australia. In this context both sides emphasized the effective activities of the Parliamentary Friendship Groups, as well as the necessity of the development of cooperation at the level of the Committees on Foreign Relations.

Touching upon the cooperation in a number of spheres Artak Zakaryan has noted that the two states already have established trade-economic ties, which is a basis for more actively developing the relations in the sphere.

Talking about the international recognition process of the Armenian Genocide Artak Zakaryan expressed his gratitude to the legislative body of the New South Wales State of Australia for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide in 2009. It has been noted that the recognition is a step for the prevention of the new crimes against humanity. The Committee Chairman also attached importance to the balanced position of Australia on the Nagorno Karabakh problem within the UN framework, and the fact of being co-author in a number of resolutions by Australia in the condemnation of genocides.

Referring to the Nagorno Karabakh problem Artak Zakaryan talked about the negotiation process of the settlement of the issue. The Committee Chairman highlighted the decision adopted on October 25, 2012 by the legislative body of the New South Wales State of Australia, according to which, the recognition of the independence of Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR) and the right of its Armenian population’s self-determination has been recorded. It has been noted that the NKR international recognition is the best solution for the peaceful and political negotiations.

The newly appointed Ambassador Peter Tesch, also emphasizing the deepening of the parliamentary relations expressed readiness for the development of the economic relations. The Ambassador has also highlighted that his country sees the solution of the conflict through peaceful means within the OSCE Minsk Group format.