Armenian prime minister outlines country’s foreign policy directions
07.06.2018,
15:42
Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan outlined today the main directions of the country’s foreign policy at an extraordinary meeting of the National Assembly, convened to discuss the new government’s program.
YEREVAN, June 7. /ARKA/. Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan outlined today the main directions of the country’s foreign policy at an extraordinary meeting of the National Assembly, convened to discuss the new government’s program.
"I have to stress that our foreign policy was not and will not be anti-American, anti-European or anti-Russian. The key goal of our foreign policy is to ensure the country's sovereignty and security,’ Pashinyan said.
He said Armenia will continue its membership in the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), saying also that his government’s goal will be to increase the effectiveness of Armenia’s participation in these organizations.
According to him, during the latest EEU summit in Russian Sochi, he was convinced that this goal is pursued by all members of the bloc. "This is a good reason for expanding cooperation with partner countries both within the EEU and in bilateral relations," Pashinyan said. He also noted that it is extremely important to develop strategic relations with Russia in numerous areas.
"The Armenian-Russian relations should be based on friendship, equality, readiness to resolve issues through dialogue. My government is considering the strategic partnership with Russia as an important component of the national security," Pashinyan said. At the same time, he stressed that serious work will be carried out to strengthen friendly and partner relations with the US and the EU.
"The government is tasked to expand cooperation with the US to ensure support to our reforms. We will cooperate with the EU in the framework of the Armenia-EU agreement, as well as towards the liberalization of the visa regime. The expansion of cooperation with the EU countries is one of the most important foreign policy directions of the government," the prime minister said.
According to Pashinyan, it is necessary to make serious efforts to develop relations in other areas as well. "We believe that China's activity in our region can become a new impetus for giving new content to Armenia's relations with Iran and Georgia," he said. -0-
"I have to stress that our foreign policy was not and will not be anti-American, anti-European or anti-Russian. The key goal of our foreign policy is to ensure the country's sovereignty and security,’ Pashinyan said.
He said Armenia will continue its membership in the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), saying also that his government’s goal will be to increase the effectiveness of Armenia’s participation in these organizations.
According to him, during the latest EEU summit in Russian Sochi, he was convinced that this goal is pursued by all members of the bloc. "This is a good reason for expanding cooperation with partner countries both within the EEU and in bilateral relations," Pashinyan said. He also noted that it is extremely important to develop strategic relations with Russia in numerous areas.
"The Armenian-Russian relations should be based on friendship, equality, readiness to resolve issues through dialogue. My government is considering the strategic partnership with Russia as an important component of the national security," Pashinyan said. At the same time, he stressed that serious work will be carried out to strengthen friendly and partner relations with the US and the EU.
"The government is tasked to expand cooperation with the US to ensure support to our reforms. We will cooperate with the EU in the framework of the Armenia-EU agreement, as well as towards the liberalization of the visa regime. The expansion of cooperation with the EU countries is one of the most important foreign policy directions of the government," the prime minister said.
According to Pashinyan, it is necessary to make serious efforts to develop relations in other areas as well. "We believe that China's activity in our region can become a new impetus for giving new content to Armenia's relations with Iran and Georgia," he said. -0-
