On February 9, Edward Nalbandian, Foreign Minister of Armenia met Margot Wallström, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden who is paying an official visit to Yerevan.

Welcoming the guest, Minister Nalbandian stressed that mutual visits, meetings within the frameworks of international conferences have become regular which enables discussion of implementation of reached agreements and drafting of new projects.

Expressing gratitude for the invitation to visit Yerevan and the warm reception, Foreign Minister of Sweden mentioned that her state attaches importance to the development of cooperation with Armenia in bilateral, as well as European and multilateral formats. Ms. Wallström outlined that activation of the diplomatic contacts between the two states create huge opportunities for the expansion of bilateral cooperation in different areas, including trade and economic relations.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Sweden discussed a wide range of issues on the bilateral agenda. Opportunities for the development of cooperation in trade and economic, educational, scientific, cultural areas and healthcare, improvement of the legal framework were reflected on. Existing potential of cooperation in the IT field was stressed.

Issues on holding of regular consultations between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs were touched upon. Importance was attached to the promotion of people-to-people contacts.

Armenia-European Union relations, launched negotiations on new Armenia-EU framework agreement was discussed. Margot Wallström mentioned that Sweden supports drafting of ambitious agreement with Armenia.

Edward Nalbandian presented to Margot Wallström the process of reforms in Armenia, expressing gratitude for the continuous support of the EU to Armenia on that matter.

The sides touched upon pressing regional and international issues. Minister Nalbandian outlined the approaches of Armenia on them. The situation unfolded in the Middle East, the issues on the protection of minorities in the region were discussed. The importance of uniting the efforts of international community in the fight against terrorism was highlighted.

The interlocutors touched upon the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. Foreign Minister of Armenia presented the latest developments of the negotiation process within the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ framework, and the situation in the conflict zone.

At the end of the meeting Edward Nalbandian and Margot Wallström signed a Convention between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital.

After the signing ceremony the Ministers held a joint press conference.