Good afternoon,

I welcome Foreign Minister of Poland Witold Waszczykowski in Yerevan. This year we celebrate two events of great importance for the Armenian-Polish relations: the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 650th anniversary of formation of the Armenian community in Poland. The Armenian community of Poland is a solid bridge between our two friendly states.

Throughout past centuries, Armenians have been worthy citizens of Poland - talented statesmen and military figures, scientists and art critics. Numerous events - exhibitions, concerts and conferences - dedicated to the Polish Armenians were organised throughout the year. A special reception in the presidential palace was arranged on this occasion by the President of Poland Andrzej Duda.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, our countries, through high-level mutual visits, effective political dialogue and a broad legal framework, have succeeded in building a solid foundation for development of comprehensive and substantial Armenian-Polish relations both on bilateral and multilateral levels.

These days, a delegation headed by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Ara Babloyan is in Poland on an official visit, and has held productive meetings with the President of Poland and the Marshal of the Senate. Yesterday, in presence of the delegation of the Armenian National Assembly, the Senate of Poland adopted a resolution on the 650th anniversary of establishment of the Armenian community, which highlights the role of Armenians in Polish history and expresses gratitude for their creative input in Polish culture. On the same day, the exhibition entitled "Armenians in Poland" was inaugurated in the Senate. All these are more than symbols of the Armenian-Polish centuries-long friendship.

In 2005, the Sejm of Poland adopted resolution on recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and in 2015, Poland has co-authored the resolution on "Prevention of Genocide" initiated by Armenia in the UN Human Rights Council.

We have a great potential in economic sphere, and to fully exploit it the works of the intergovernmental commission, the next meeting of which is scheduled for December this year, is especially important.

In addition, the cooperation in decentralized, scientific, educational and cultural spheres has been developed in recent years.

We cooperate within the framework of international organisations. In this context, I would like to congratulate Poland on being elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, to which Armenia also rendered its support.

With Mr. Waszczykowski we exchanged views on a number of international and regional issues.

I briefed Foreign Minister of Poland on the joint efforts of Armenia and the Minsk Group Co-Chair countries aimed at moving forward the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of the principles of international law of non-use of force and threat of force, equality and self-determination of peoples, and territorial integrity. Unfortunately, following the Geneva Summit, various speculations are voiced by Baku, and the ceasefire violations still occur on the Line of Contact resulting in a death of a soldier yesterday.

We agree with the Polish Foreign Minister that there is no alternative to the exclusively peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of the principles of international law.

Now I pass the floor to Foreign Minister Waszczykowski.