The main directions of Armenian-Irish cooperation were outlined

On July 14, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian paid a visit to Ireland. In Dublin the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs had meetings with the high-ranking representatives of Ireland’s legislative and executive bodies.

In the course of the meeting with Eamon Gilmore, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland, a thorough discussion revolved around the forming of bilateral relations’ agenda. A number of issues related to the regional and international cooperation, as well as the cooperation in the frames of international organizations were discussed, as well. Taking into account the fact that Ireland is going to take over the OSCE chairmanship next year, the sides touched upon the primary issues of the Organization.

Edward Nalbandian and Eamon Gilmore mutually mentioned that despite the geographical distance, Armenia and Ireland have many civilization and cultural similarities and it can serve as a firm basis for the development of interstate relations.

The importance of strengthening of economic component of bilateral cooperation and the necessity of creating of favorable conditions for business circles was particularly underlined. The Ministers agreed to undertake sufficient steps towards the intensification of political dialogue and the development of trade relations between the two countries. The sides touched upon the possible directions of economic cooperation. In this regard, it was mutually stressed the importance of the agreement “Between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and Government of Ireland for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital”, which was signed before the meeting.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Ireland had a thorough talk on issues on the OSCE agenda. Eamon Gilmore presented the priorities of the upcoming Irish presidency in the OSCE and the steps to be undertaken towards the achievement of the Organization’s goals. Edward Nalbandian said that Armenia would provide its support to the Irish OSCE chairmanship. The Armenian Foreign Minister presented his Irish counterpart the recent developments in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

The sides touched upon the cooperation between Armenia and the European Union, the programs and projects that are directed to the development of the relations being implemented in the frames of that.

Ministers Nalbandian and Gilmore exchanged views on the actual problems of the international agenda –the possible developments in the Middle East.
Expressing gratitude for the warm reception, Edward Nalbandian invited his Irish counterpart to visit Armenia.

In Dublin Edward Nalbandian also visited the Irish Parliament, where he had a meeting with Pet Brin, the Chairman of the Upper and Lower Chambers of the Joint Committee on Foreign Relations of the Parliament, and Committee’s members.

In the course of the meeting with the Irish deputies, the importance of the parliamentary interaction was underlined in both bilateral and multilateral formats. Upon the request of the Irish MPs, Edward Nalbandian presented the priorities of Armenia’s foreign policy, Armenia’s approaches on a number of international and regional issues. Pet Brin informed that for boosting the cooperation between the Parliaments of the two countries, it is planned to establish a parliamentary friendship group in the legislative body of Ireland.

On the same day, Edward Nalbandian visited the Institute of International and
European Affairs of Dublin where he had a meeting with the directorate of the political center and addressed a speech, presenting the priorities of Armenia’s foreign policy. High-ranking officials of the Irish MFA, experts and the Ambassadors accredited in Dublin attended the meeting.

In his speech Edward Nalbandian touched upon the Armenian-Irish similarities, the steps undertaken towards the development of the relations between the two countries, the relationship between Armenia and the EU and regional issues.

After the speech, Edward Nalbandian answered numerous questions of the attendees.