2024-05-06 04:14:13
A meeting between President Vahagn Khachaturyan and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was held at the residence of the President of the Republic, the press service of the President’s Office reports.
The message states:
“Greeting the guests, the president said.
“I am glad to welcome you and your delegation to Armenia. Your visit is important in the sense that it once again documents the continuity and importance of Armenia-NATO cooperation.
Armenia has a history of more than 30 years of cooperation with NATO. Since 1994, institutional cooperation has already been formed between NATO and Armenia, which was mainly aimed at increasing Armenia’s resilience and capabilities, as well as contributing to the establishment of democratic institutions. All this is much more relevant for Armenia today. We are the country that is trying to do everything to establish real peace in the region. I would like to emphasize once again that we are guided by democratic principles and ideas.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the creation of NATO. NATO, when it was created, was centered around two main ideas. The first is to protect the security of NATO member countries and the values that those countries profess, and those values are freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Now we are guided by those principles and are doing everything to face the existing challenges and strengthen our independence and democracy.
Thank you once again for your visit.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg thanked for the reception and noted.
“Mr. President, it is a great honor for me to be here. I greatly appreciate that I had the opportunity to meet you.
As you mentioned, Armenia is a long-term partner of NATO, 30 years of partnership. During this time we have worked as close partners, supporting and helping each other. We are very grateful for what Armenia is doing to support various NATO missions and activities, including the personal presence of Armenian soldiers in Kosovo. I have met Armenian soldiers several times and have always been impressed by their professionalism, dedication and commitment.
I would also like to thank you for your country’s recent announcement to strengthen your presence in Kosovo. This is very important for stability in the Balkans.
Today we are also looking at how we can deepen our cooperation, how we can do more together.”
Agenda issues of Armenia-NATO cooperation were discussed during the meeting. Reference was made to general regional realities and developments. In this context, President Vahagn Khachaturyan reaffirmed Armenia’s full readiness and principled position in achieving stable and lasting peace in our region. The President emphasized that Armenia sees the development of the country and the entire South Caucasus region only through peace, the exclusion of the use of military force and the establishment of democratic principles.
At the meeting, ideas were also exchanged regarding the current realities and challenges in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations regarding the establishment of peace. Both sides emphasized the importance of a positive end to the peace process, which is in the interests of all the countries of the region.
“Armenia’s sincere wish is to establish relations based on the principles of neighborliness and partnership with all its neighbors,” President Khachaturyan said.
During the conversation, the parties emphasized Armenia’s participation in peacekeeping operations, which is an important contribution to maintaining international peace and security, as well as Armenia’s commitment to continue the further development of democratic institutions.”