On May 16, Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan received the delegation of the Parliament of Sweden (Riksdag) headed by Deputy Speaker Björn Söder.

Welcoming the guests Minister Mnatsakanyan highlighted the importance of the visit of the Swedish Parliamentary delegation and emphasized that Sweden has been an important partner for Armenia since independence. Foreign Minister underlined that an effective inter-parliamentary cooperation contributes to a further strengthening of inter-state relations.

Expressing gratitude for the reception, Deputy Speaker Söder first congratulated Zohrab Mnatsakanyan on his assuming the position of Foreign Minister and expressed hope that during his tenure the Armenian-Swedish friendly relations will be deepened and enhanced even further.

Foreign Minister Mnatsakanyan briefed on the recent developments in Armenia and the steps that are being taken by the new government, which enjoys public support.

Issues related to strengthening Armenian-Swedish political dialogue, invigorating trade and economic relations, aimed at intensification of educational and cultural collaboration, cooperation in the areas of information technologies, innovations, creative education, as well as expansion of legal framework were also included in the agenda of the meeting. The sides discussed the ways for interaction on the international platforms.

Foreign Minister thanked the Riksdag of Sweden for recognizing the Armenian Genocide in 2010.

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Björn Söder highlighted the importance of signing the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between Armenia and the European Union, noting that it will open new perspectives for cooperation within the formats of Armenia-EU and bilateral Armenia-Swedish relations. The interlocutors underscored the importance of ratification of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement by the Parliament of Sweden as soon as possible. Swedish parliamentarians assured that they would do their utmost in order to quickly finalize the process of ratification.

Foreign Minister of Armenia briefed the Parliamentary Delegation of Sweden on the joint efforts of Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries towards exclusively peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.