On August 27, Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan received a delegation, headed by Andreas Norlén, Speaker of the Riksdag of the Kingdom of Sweden who is in Yerevan on a working visit. 

Welcoming guests in Armenia, Minister Mnatsakanyan commended the existing dynamics in the Armenian-Swedish relations, emphasizing regular high-level visits and meetings, and noted that such a representative visit of the Swedish Parliament demonstrates the importance the two countries attach to broadening and enriching the bilateral agenda. In this context, the parties emphasized the role of parliamentary diplomacy and utilization of its full potential in the further strengthening of Armenian-Swedish relations.

Minister Mnatsakanyan briefed the members of the Swedish delegation on Armenia’s domestic developments and the reforms, implemented by Government, emphasizing reforms in judiciary system as the Government’s priority, which are aimed at increasing the public trust towards the latter, as well as at ensuring its independence and impartiality. The Foreign Minister of Armenia also highly appreciated the active support of Sweden in promoting and advancing Armenia’s national priorities. 

Touching upon the value-based relations between Armenia and the EU, the Foreign Minister of Armenia particularly highlighted the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement as a new legal basis for relations with the EU and the EU member states. 

At the request of the interlocutors, Minister Mnatsakanyan also touched upon Armenia's foreign policy priorities. With regards to the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, the Foreign Minister presented Armenia's principled stance and approaches, with special emphasis on the creation of an environment conducive to peace and the implementation of risk reduction measures.