Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Poland

On July 19, within the framework of his official visit to Poland, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan held a meeting with Foreign Minister of Poland Zbigniew Rau.

The Ministers congratulated each other on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Poland and underscored that the cooperation established over the past three decades provided a solid basis for the consistent development and strengthening of interstate relations.

In this context, the Ministers commended the results of the political consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Armenia and Poland held in Yerevan on June 28 and expressed a conviction that their continuity and frequency will best serve to deepen the political dialogue and cooperation between the two countries.

The Foreign Ministers touched upon the prospects of further expansion of Armenian-Polish collaboration, expressing readiness to undertake steps in the fields of trade, high and information technologies, finance, banking, justice, education, science, and culture.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the deepening of cooperation in the direction of promoting democracy, protecting human rights, and strengthening the rule of law. Minister Mirzoyan presented to his colleague the agenda of democratic reforms carried out in Armenia.

Ararat Mirzoyan and Zbigniew Rau also touched upon the prospects of developing effective cooperation between Armenia and the European Union. Minister Mirzoyan emphasized the importance of steps towards strengthening the inclusiveness of the Eastern Partnership program and further promotion of its efficiency, emphasizing in this regard the role of Poland as an initiator country of the Eastern Partnership.

During the meeting, the issues of regional and international security issues were discussed. Minister Mirzoyan presented to his colleague in detail Armenia’s position regarding the processes aimed at establishing regional peace and stability.

The key role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship in promoting the peace process aimed at the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as normalizing the relations with Azerbaijan was emphasized.

Ararat Mirzoyan presented to his colleague Azerbaijan’s continuous provocative actions towards Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, warmongering and expansionist statements, stressing that such steps undermine efforts aimed at establishing regional stability and peace.

Reference was made to the humanitarian consequences of the 44-day war, in particular, the repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians illegally held in Azerbaijan, as well as the prevention of the policy of destruction and distortion of the Armenian historical and cultural heritage of Artsakh in the territories fallen under Azerbaijani control.

The head of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia expressed conviction that the existing mechanisms in the toolkit of the OSCE and the institute of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office will contribute to the opening of an era of regional peace and sustainable development and strengthening the atmosphere of constructive dialogue and trust.

Following their meeting, the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Poland delivered statements to the press.

On the same day, Ararat Mirzoyan visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, laid a wreath, and paid tribute to the soldiers who fell for Poland. He also left a signature in the memorial book of honored guests.