Bilateral agenda issues were discussed during the meeting. Both sides emphasized the willingness to develop cooperation in various fields, emphasizing in this direction the regular consultations between the two foreign ministries, the formation of the necessary legal framework, the organization of joint events and high-level visits. Ararat Mirzoyan pointed out the fields of trade and economy, civil aviation, tourism, and information technologies as promising directions of bilateral relations, emphasizing the need to take steps to encourage investments.
Minister Mirzoyan emphasized that economic development in the region implies a stable and safe environment and in that context presented the “Crossroads of Peace” program developed by the RA government. Noting that Armenia attaches importance to the deepening of mutually beneficial relations with the Arab countries of the Gulf, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia expressed hope that the program will also be attractive for Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain. The vision of advancing the peace agenda with similar programs was welcomed by both sides.
RA Foreign Minister presented to his Bahraini counterpart the current security situation in the South Caucasus, as well as RA’s approaches to establishing lasting peace and stability in the region. Ararat Mirzoyan referred to the ethnic cleansing of Nagorno Karabakh by Azerbaijan, the existing problems, stressing that they do not facilitate the path to establishing peace in the South Caucasus.
Reaffirming RA’s commitment, in the context of the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized mutual, unambiguous recognition of territorial integrity, 1991. On the basis of the Alma-Ata Declaration and the most recent maps of the USSR, the need for Azerbaijan to express a strong commitment in the issues of demarcation, as well as in the issues of unblocking regional channels under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of countries.
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Interview between Time.news Editor and Foreign Relations Expert
Editor: Thank you for joining us today. We recently saw significant discussions between Armenia and Bahrain regarding their bilateral relations. Can you provide some context on these meetings?
Expert: Absolutely. The recent meetings between Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Bahraini counterpart focused on a plethora of bilateral agenda issues. Both parties displayed a strong willingness to bolster cooperation across various sectors, with an emphasis on establishing a solid legal framework to support these efforts.
Editor: That sounds promising! What specific areas do you think have the most potential for development?
Expert: The discussions highlighted several key areas: trade and economy, civil aviation, tourism, and information technologies. Minister Mirzoyan indicated that these sectors hold particular promise for enhancing bilateral relations. He also stressed the importance of creating a conducive environment for investments, which is crucial for any economic partnership to thrive.
Editor: The concept of a “stable and safe environment” was mentioned. How does this play into the broader context of regional relations?
Expert: This is very important. Minister Mirzoyan’s emphasis on a stable environment stems from the recognition that economic development in the region is closely tied to peace and security. He introduced the “Crossroads of Peace” initiative, which aims to facilitate collaboration and stability in the region. This program wasn’t just about Armenia; it’s an invitation to other countries, particularly in the Gulf, to engage in this peace-building process.
Editor: Speaking of the Gulf countries, what do you think attracted Bahrain and other Arab nations to this agenda?
Expert: From the discussions, it’s clear that Armenia is eager to enhance its ties with Gulf countries. The mutual benefits of deepening economic and diplomatic relations are compelling. Bahrain and its neighbors are looking for new economic partnerships beyond their traditional alliances, especially in fields like technology and tourism. The allure of the “Crossroads of Peace” initiative is that it offers a constructive way to engage with a historically diverse region while promoting security and stability.
Editor: That’s quite insightful. How do you see this evolving in the coming months?
Expert: I expect we’ll see more structured engagements between Armenia and the Gulf states, including high-level visits and joint events, as they work to formalize their agreements. If they can execute this initial framework effectively, we might witness a significant shift in regional dynamics, especially with more investments flowing from the Gulf into Armenia.
Editor: Thank you for your enlightening perspective on these developments. It will certainly be interesting to track how this cooperation unfolds.
Expert: Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time for these regions, and I look forward to seeing how these relationships develop.