Meeting with the Marshal of the Polish Sejm

On July 4, the delegation led by the Armenian National Assembly President Alen Simonyan, being in the Republic of Poland on an official visit, met with Elżbieta Witek, the Marshal of the Polish Sejm, the Press Office of the Armenian Parliament reported.

At the meeting, the importance of inter-parliamentary cooperation, including friendship groups, in the expansion of bilateral relations was underlined. The holding of joint sittings of the Committees on Foreign Relations of the Armenian National Assembly and the two chambers of the Polish Parliament was highlighted on both sides. Emphasizing the opportunities for interaction on various international platforms, Alen Simonyan mentioned that as a co-author of the Eastern Partnership, Poland plays an active role in strengthening Armenia-EU relations, and Armenia expects Poland’s support in the effective implementation of the Agreement.

"Touching upon the establishment of stability and security issues in the region, the President of the Armenian National Assembly presented details of the situation on the borders of Armenia and in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of the Azerbaijani aggression. Alen Simonyan reminded that since December 12, 2022, Azerbaijan had blocked Nagorno-Karabakh, grossly violating international humanitarian law and the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020, and also ignored the legally binding decision of the International Court of Justice against Azerbaijan on February 22. He attached great importance to the deployment of the EU Observation Mission, which is favorable in terms of security, ensuring stability in the region, and building trust on the spot. "We also know that in the middle of this year, Poland plans to expand the involvement of observers in the mission, which is very welcoming for us," Simonyan underscored. Alen Simonyan noted that during various meetings with all international partners, they raise the necessity to impose sanctions on Azerbaijan and expect addressed responses.

The Polish colleague emphasized that parliamentary diplomacy ensures uninterrupted communication between parliaments, thanks to which accurate information about countries is obtained. Speaking of democratic values, he attached importance to accountability to the people, emphasizing the positions regarding international partners as well. In this context, the Marshal of the Polish Sejm opined on the further multi-sectoral expansion of cooperation. Regarding the conflicts taking place in different parts of the world, Elżbieta Witek noted that Poles, regardless of political views and differences, always unite against aggression and for peace, making their voices heard.

Meeting with the President of Poland

On the same day, Andrzej Duda, the President of Poland, received the delegation led by Alen Simonyan in Warsaw.

Alen Simonyan noted that the European Union remains the main partner of Armenia in establishing democratic institutes and supporting the reform agenda and, despite the difficulties that Armenia faced within the past several years, the positive dynamics of Armenia-EU high-level political dialogue by signing several agreements the legal field had been further strengthened.

Simonyan President reminded the President of Poland that Armenia asked the EU to provide technical assistance to Armenia through European Peace Facility-EPF. "The European Union provides support through that mechanism to Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. Unfortunately, the request of Armenia was denied, quoting the EU mediatory efforts in improving the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the problem of 'conflict sensitivity.' I would like to repeat that it refers to technical assistance for raising the defensive capabilities," Alen Simonyan underscored.

"Touching upon the agenda of establishing lasting peace in the region, Simonyan highlighted the deployment of the Observation Mission of the European Union. Alen Simonyan presented details about the crisis afflicting the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh and the danger threatening the sovereignty of Armenia because of the Azerbaijani aggression. He stressed that Armenia expects condemnation of such illegal and inhumane actions and up to imposing sanctions on Azerbaijan from the international colleagues," the report added.

Andrzej Duda assured that he is concerned about the development of relations between Armenia and Poland and recalled his participation at the Conference of the European Ministers of Justice of the Council of Europe held in Yerevan in 2006 as a Minister of Justice of Poland. President Duda stressed that the South Caucasus region is important for them, especially the development of relations with Armenia. The president noted that they follow the situation after the 44-day war and are well aware of the region's security issues, and imagine quite well which country wants peace and which does not want it.