Nalbandian: State`s membership in one integration project does not  exclude cooperation with other structures

ArmInfo. Armenia consistently acted for the strengthening of indivisible security in the OSCE region and permanently contributed to discussions on arms control and  the restoration of mechanisms of trust and security.

As the press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry reports, Edward  Nalbandian stated this during his speech at the 24th meeting of the  OSCE Ministerial Council in Vienna.

He stressed that the steps to build trust are not confined to the  first dimension. The Armenian Minister expressed deep conviction that  the economic and environmental directions of the organization have an  untapped resource. Nalbandian believes that in this context, the OSCE  can become a natural platform for the member countries of the  Organization in terms of stimulating a universal dialogue, including  on regional integration processes.

"About two weeks ago, Armenia signed an agreement with the European  Union on a comprehensive and expanded partnership, which was a clear  indication that membership in one integration project, and in the  case of Armenia - the Eurasian Economic Union, does not exclude  cooperation with other structures, we hope that a purposeful and  realistic dialogue will become the driving force for economic  cooperation throughout the OSCE space," the Armenian FM stated.

Nalbandian noted Armenia's contribution to the processes carried out  in the sphere of human rights protection, emphasizing the effective  interaction with OSCE structures in this direction. According to the  Armenian Minister, the elections held in Armenia in April 2017  demonstrated that the progress achieved in the sphere of fundamental  human rights is stable and irreversible. In this context, he highly  appreciated the contribution of OSCE structures to this process.

"We are glad that the OSCE pays more attention to the issue of the  protection of national and religious minorities from violence,  especially against the backdrop of the processes in the Middle East.  Armenia was one of the first to voice this problem and helped  strengthen OSCE commitments in this direction. Crimes against  Christians and other religious minorities , on the basis of hatred  and the development of effective measures to combat discrimination  were the focus of a recent forum in Yerevan organized by the OSCE  Chairmanship in conjunction with the ODIHR and under the assistance  of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia", concluded Nalbandian.