On July 18, Edward Nalbandian, Foreign Minister of Armenia, had a meeting with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, who arrived to Armenia on an official visit.

The tête-à-tête meeting was followed by talks in an extended format with participation of delegations.

Welcoming the guest, Minister Nalbandian noted that his colleague is paying a visit to Armenia just a few months after the visit of the President of the Republic of Armenia to the UAE and successful holding of the Armenian-Emirates Business Forum, and this provides an opportunity to discuss the process of implementation of the agreements reached during the President’s visit.

Ministers commended that the two countries enjoy warm and friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation in various spheres, by emphasizing that a small but active Armenian community of the United Arab Emirates has also contributed to the latter.

In the course of talks, the Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Armenia and the United Arab Emirates discussed a wide range of issues on the further development of bilateral cooperation, such as the expansion of legal framework, deepening of trade and economic ties, promotion of investments and others. The interlocutors shared the view that high-level mutual visits, as well as the existence of diplomatic missions in both capitals contribute to the strengthening of collaboration. Minister Nalbandian expressed confidence that the recently established Consulate-General of Armenia in Dubai will further promote that cooperation.

Ministers Nalbandian and Al Nahyan highlighted the importance of holding regular consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs on the issues related to bilateral and international agenda.

The Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates noted that Armenia is a favourable destination for tourism and recently a considerable growth of tourist’s number from the UAE has been registered.

During the meeting the Ministers exchanged views on the urgent issues of regional and international agenda. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan briefed on the recent developments in the Arabian Peninsula and the UAE’s approaches to them.

Edward Nalbandian presented to his interlocutor the efforts of Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries aimed at the advancement of the process of settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issues and outlined that the three Co-Chair countries, which are speaking on behalf of the international community, have continuously stressed that the peaceful settlement process of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue through negotiations has no alternative and the settlement of the conflict should be based on the norms and principles of international law, particularly, non use of force or threat of use of force, equal rights and self-determination of people and territorial integrity.

Before the meeting, the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates visited Tsitsernakaberd and paid tribute to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.