In 2013 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, based on the foreign policy guidelines and assignments outlined by the President of Armenia, continued its activities aimed at the strengthening of the country's external security component, maintenance of external favorable conditions and guaranties for the development of the country; increase of the number of Armenia’s friends in various continents, deepening of the engagement in the international organizations and processes; further strengthening of cooperation with friendly and partner countries; enhancement of our reputation and positions on the international stage; protection of the interests of the Republic and its citizens abroad; preservation of the Armenian cultural heritage and implementation of initiatives which are in line with our interests and undertaken towards the creation of positive agenda in international relations.

The year of 2013 was marked by the decision of Armenia to join the Customs Union which derives from the economic and strategic interests of Armenia.

2013 was also marked by the effective chairmanships of Armenia in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and in the Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation.

In 2013 together with the Co-Chairs of OSCE Minsk Group Armenia continued the joint efforts towards the exceptionally peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue based on the principles and norms of international law.

On June 18 in the framework of G8 summit in Enniskillen, Heads of States of OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Countries – Presidents of Russia, United States and France – issued a joint statement on the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, which once again reaffirmed that the approach of the international community is in line with the Armenian position that there is no alternative to the peaceful solution to the conflict and that all those elements and principles are an integrated whole and any attempt to select some elements over others would make it impossible to achieve a solution. On the same day Armenia commended this statement and in response to the call of the Co-Chair countries once again reasserted its commitment to the resolution of the issue on the basis of the principles of international law, particularly non-use of force or the threat of force, equal rights and self-determination of peoples and territorial integrity.

An agreement was reached to inject a new impetus to the negotiation process during the meeting, after two years of break, in Vienna on November 19 between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan

Despite the fact that Azerbaijani side continued making bellicose statements, as well as provocations on the border with Armenia and on the line of contact with Artsakh and gross violations of the ceasefire regime, during the OSCE Ministerial Council in Kiev in December the Heads of Delegation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Countries and Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan issued a joint statement where they stated about the continuation of commitment to a peaceful and just resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

Pursuing the implementation of the President’s assignments on the organization of events ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Genocide, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its diplomatic missions together with Diaspora structures have consistently worked towards the international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian genocide as a crime against humanity. On March 22 in Geneva during the 22nd session of the UN Human Rights Council a resolution on Prevention of Genocide initiated by Armenia was adopted by consensus

Armenia continued to deepen its strategic-allied relations with Russia. The year was marked by high-level reciprocal visits and meetings between the leadership of the two countries. In the framework of the state visit of the President of the Russian Federation at the end of the year arrangements of strategic significance, related to the economic development and enhancement of the level of security of Armenia, were made.

Armenia has continued deepening friendly partnership with the United States of America, which was also supported by active political dialogue and effective functioning of the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation.

Improvement of political dialogue, economic cooperation and cultural ties with the European countries kept on being one of the priorities of Armenian foreign policy. In 2013 active partnership between Armenia and European Union continued. On November 29 the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan participated in the Third Summit of the Eastern Partneship in Vilnius where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the development and enhancement of comprehensive partnership in all areas of mutual interest. In this context the Republic of Armenia and the European Union issued a Joint Statement and the Armenian Foreign Minister and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton exchanged letters which outline the future-oriented agenda of cooperation between Armenia and the European Union.

Consistent steps were taken towards strengthening of friendly relations with Armenia’s neighboring countries - Georgia and Iran.

During the year Armenia’s principled position to normalize relations with Turkey without any preconditions continued receiving support from the international community.

In 2013 the Foreign Minister paid visits to the capitals of the UN Security Council Permanent Member states and had meetings with his counterparts of those countries.

Armenia continued its active involvement in cooperation within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS); steps were undertaken towards the development of the relations with CIS member-states.

In the context of Armenia's decision to join Customs Union and participate in the formation of Eurasian Economic Union collaboration with the Eurasian Economic Commission resulted in tangible progress on the way of Armenia’s accession to CU.
Special attention was attached to the relations with China, India and Japan. Persistent steps towards expansion of the geography of diplomatic ties continued.

Activities were undertaken towards the improvement of traditional relations with Arab countries.

Cooperation with the countries of Asia and Latin America has also deepened.

Questions regarding the provision of the security of Armenian community of Syria and preservation of Armenian historical and cultural heritage in Syria were high on the agenda.

Armenia continued initiating new undertakings in the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization directed to the further enhancement of the Organization, an important component of Armenia’s security.

The partnership with NATO consistently developed.

Armenia has consistently furthered its active involvement in the UN. Armenia was elected a member of UNESCO Committee on Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

Armenia continued to be engaged in the activities of the OSCE, International Organization of Francophonie and a number of international and regional organizations.

Attaching great importance to the economic component of the foreign policy, steps were furthered towards the expansion of Armenia's involvement in international economic cooperation processes, attraction of investments to the Republic of Armenia. Efforts were continued with our partner countries towards the development of economic relations in the frames of both bilateral and international institutions, including financial organizations. Dozens of inter-governmental commission meetings and business forums were held under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Foreign Ministry actively supported the development of inter-parliamentary relations and the expansion of decentralized cooperation with different states.

The improvment of relations with Diaspora was also in the focus of attention of the Foreign Ministry. The Ministry continued supporting the activities of the Ministry of Diaspora.

The MFA coordinated and promoted the development of foreign relations of the Armenian governmental agencies.

Triggering of cultural cooperation in bilateral and international platforms, protection of Armenian historical and cultural heritage abroad as well as the interests of Armenian citizens and legal persons in foreign states were among priorities and in the focus of constant attention of the Foreign Ministry.

In 2013 the President of the Republic of Armenia paid 15 foreign visits; Armenia hosted 3 Heads of State and Government. The President of the National Assembly paid 9 visits and 6 Heads of other countries’ parliaments visited Armenia. The Prime Minister paid 6 foreign visits. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia paid 48 foreign visits, Armenia, and hosted 12 foreign ministers and 10 Heads of International organization.

The reciprocal visits were effective in terms of the reached agreements. 86 international agreements and other documents were signed.

During 2013 Armenia established resident embassies in Sweden, Mexico, The Holy See, Vietnam, Indonesia and Permanent Representation at the International Organization of Francophonie. Consulate-generals were opened in Marseille and Lyon. Armenia established diplomatic relations with 5 states (Vanuatu, Myanmar, Swaziland, Uganda and Mauritius).

Armenia has proven itself to be a reliable partner through numerous positive publications about Armenia in influential international media.

The President of the Republic, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister gave dozens of interviews and press conferences to eminent world media outlets and delivered lectures in a number of countries.