Meeting with the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Malta

On 30 March in Malta, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Malta Ian Borg, the press office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia reports.

Ararat Mirzoyan and Ian Borg expressed their readiness to develop and deepen bilateral relations and make joint efforts to exploit the potential in various fields to the maximum. The sides touched upon the activation of trade and economic cooperation and business ties, prospects for cooperation in information technology, tourism and other areas of mutual interest. The Ministers exchanged views on various issues on the agenda of the Armenia-EU Partnership and active cooperation in multilateral platforms. Regional stability and security issues were also addressed during the meeting. Both sides emphasised the need to resolve current issues exclusively through peaceful negotiations.

"Ararat Mirzoyan briefed his counterpart on Armenia's vision for the normalisation of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, as well as on the Armenian side's efforts to strengthen stability and peace in the South Caucasus," the report added.

"Minister Mirzoyan informed the interlocutor about the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh caused by the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan. He stressed the importance of taking practical steps in line with the targeted statements and calls already made by international partners. The implementation of the 22 February decision of the International Court of Justice and the need to send an international fact-finding mission to the Lachin Corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh were underlined," it said.

Meeting with the President of Malta

On 30 March, President of Malta George Vella received Ararat Mirzoyan in Valletta.

The interlocutors stressed the importance of the first high-level bilateral official visit from Armenia to Malta since the establishment of interstate relations. They expressed confidence that it would give a new impetus to the further development of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Issues of cooperation between Armenia and Malta at multilateral platforms were also discussed during the meeting. The interlocutors touched upon the expanding partnership between Armenia and the EU. Ararat Mirzoyan underlined the EU's continued support for the strengthening of democracy and the implementation of an ambitious reform agenda in Armenia.

They also discussed regional security issues. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia briefed the President of Malta on the security situation in the South Caucasus and the latest developments in the process of normalisation of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"Minister Mirzoyan stressed the importance of the opening of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan without any preconditions, a constructive approach to key issues concerning the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, and the fulfilment of commitments by Azerbaijan instead of bellicose rhetoric and provocations," the report added.