FMs of Armenia, Romania sign 2023-2024 Joint Action Plan in Bucharest

ArmInfo.On April 3, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania Bogdan Aurescu.   The meeting started with tete-a-tete, then continued in an expanded  format with the participation of two delegations.

As the press service of the RA MFA reports, after the meeting the  Ministers signed the "Joint Action Plan between the Ministry of  Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of  Foreign Affairs of Romania for 2023-2024". A joint Armenian- Romanian  postage stamp, dedicated to Romanian-Armenian famous doctor Ana  Aslan, was also inaugurated in the presence of the Ministers.  The  Ministers held a joint press conference. In his remarks Minister  Mirzoyan noted:  "Dear Mr. Minister, Dear colleagues, First of all, I  would like to thank my dear colleague Mr. Bogdan Aurescu for the warm  welcome and fruitful discussions.  Today, we had an opportunity to  discuss a wide range of topics of bilateral cooperation between  Armenia and Romania. We signed the joint action plan between the  ministries of foreign affairs of the two countries for 2023-2024. 

Building on the path our countries have passed since their  Independence, we expressed our strong willingness to further enhance  the bilateral agenda.  Further expansion of the legal framework,  regular political consultations as well as enhanced cooperation in  cultural, educational and scientific spheres will surely serve that  goal. We have expressed our readiness to undertake steps also towards  the realization of the full potential in economic relations and  business ties.  It is noteworthy that the bilateral relations between  our two countries are shaped also by the centuries-old ties between  Armenian and Romanian peoples. In this context I would like to  emphasize the important role and contribution of the Armenians in  Romania and express our gratitude to the Romanian authorities for  their caring attitude towards the Armenian community and its cultural  and religious heritage. One of the most vivid examples of it was the  adoption of the law declaring October 12th as the "Day of the Armenian Language, Alphabet and Culture".  

Dear attendees, Proceeding to the Armenia-EU partnership, several  important topics of our expanding cooperation were on the agenda of  our meeting, including the Armenia-EU Political and Security dialogue  and the effective implementation of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and  Enhanced Partnership Agreement. We also exchanged views on our  collaboration within the framework of the Eastern Partnership as well  as the European Political Community.  I would like to emphasize that  the sending of EU monitors to the Armenian side of the international  border between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the immediate aftermath of  the Azerbaijani aggression against Armenia in September 2022 and  later the deployment of the longer-term EU civilian monitoring  mission is an EU important engagement in our region.  

We see it as a valuable tool to enhance human security on the ground,  to contribute to peace and stability in the region. I would like to  specify that we appreciate Romania's valuable contribution to the EU  respective discussions.  Dear colleagues, Continuing the topic of  regional security and stability, I should mention that we touched  upon the recent developments in the South Caucasus. I briefed my  colleague on the existential challenges and threats that both the  Republic of Armenia and the people of Nagorno-Karabakh are facing.   Regrettably, the blockade of the Lachin corridor since December 2022,  intimidation as well as other actions of Azerbaijan aimed at forcing  the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh to leave their homes, the  systematic policy of ethnic cleansing are the response of Azerbaijan  to the calls of the international community to address the issue of  the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.  

Along with many targeted calls and demands of international bodies, I  would like to stress the legally binding Order of the International  Court of Justice issued on 22 February against Azerbaijan. The Court  has found that there is an imminent risk of irreparable harm to  Armenians' rights under the Convention for Elimination of Racial  Discrimination and ordered Azerbaijan to take all the necessary  measures to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo  along the Lachin corridor in both directions.  It should be mentioned  that the illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor is not the only  blatant violation of the November 9, 2020 Trilateral Statement. There  is almost no single provision of the Statement that isn't violated by  Azerbaijan. Along with the continuously holding of the Armenian  prisoners of war as hostages as well as demands of an  extraterritorial corridor through the sovereign territory of the  Republic of Armenia, Azerbaijan fails to ensure that "internally  displaced persons and refugees shall return to the territory of  Nagorno Karabakh and adjacent regions under the control of the Agency  of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees." Furthermore, Azerbaijan  continues its hate speech and the warmongering rhetoric on the  highest level as well as systematic aggressive actions on the ground  and the occupation of around 150 sq km of the sovereign territory of  the Republic of Armenia.  

We believe that our partners, the international community have an  important role to play by using the respective tools and mechanisms,  including sending an international fact-finding mission to the Lachin  corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh.  Dear colleagues, Armenia has  repeatedly announced its readiness for constructive dialogue with  Azerbaijan in an environment free from hate speech, preconditions and  warmongering rhetoric, for the sake of sustainable peace and security  in the South Caucasus. Armenia has strong political will to reach  peace and stability in the region, and despite all difficulties we  continue the talks with Azerbaijan in good faith.  

Dear Minister, Thank you once again for today's sincere conversation.  I am genuinely interested in continuing our dialogue to give a new  impetus to widening the agenda of the relations between our two  countries.  Last but not least, dear Bogdan, I extend my invitation  to you to visit Yerevan at your earliest convenience".