Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Egypt

On January 29, the Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with Sameh Shukri, Egypt's Foreign Minister, who was in Armenia with the delegation of Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the President of Egypt, the Press Office of the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported.

Ararat Mirzoyan highlighted the importance of the first official visit of the Egyptian leader to Armenia in the history of bilateral relations. Both sides noted that high-level mutual visits give a new impetus to developing Armenian-Egyptian cooperation.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Egypt exchanged views on further deepening the current cooperation in trade and economy, high technologies, and tourism. The parties also underscored the importance of expanding the bilateral legal framework. The strengthening of cooperation between the two countries on multilateral platforms was touched upon.

"The process of normalization of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations was touched upon. Ararat Mirzoyan briefed Sameh Shukri on the daily deteriorating humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin Corridor, emphasizing that Azerbaijan is flagrantly violating the provisions of the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020, and international humanitarian law. The Armenian side stressed that Azerbaijan aims to subject the Armenians of Artsakh to ethnic cleansing," the report added.

The Foreign Minister of Armenia highlighted the international community's need for efficient and immediate steps toward unblocking the Lachin Corridor and restoring safe and unimpeded communication between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Ararat Mirzoyan also briefed his counterpart on the latest developments in the normalization process of Armenia-Turkey relations.

Meeting between Nikol Pashinyan and Abdel Fattah Еl-Sisi

On the same day, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan hosted Abdel Fattah Еl-Sisi, the Press Office of the Armenian Prime Minister reported. First, a private conversation between the leaders of Armenia and Egypt took place, and then the negotiations continued in an expanded format.

The President of Egypt said: "There is mutual trust at the level of leadership of the two countries, it should be noted that such trust also exists between the peoples of the two countries. It enables us to ensure even more promising development in bilateral relations. I talk about all spheres equally, be it economic or cultural. There are many opportunities for strengthening and developing multipolar and multisectoral relations. I am talking about both economy and mutual investment, high-tech, tourism, communication, and electricity sectors."

Prime Minister Pashinyan noted at the extended meeting that they had an important conversation with the President of Egypt and discussed many issues of the bilateral and regional agenda. "Egypt is a reliable partner for us in the international arena, and let me express confidence that our trust will further deepen with the results of your historic visit. Also, the warmth of our relations, I think, demonstrates our special relations in the context of relations between Armenia and the Arab world. Egypt is also a reliable partner for us in our relations and dialogue with the Islamic world," he added.

Abdel Fattah El-Sisi noted that the friendly atmosphere and warmth he felt during the private conversation with the Armenian Prime Minister speaks of only one thing: the great mutual trust and respect between the two countries. 

Emphasizing the effective cooperation between Armenia and Egypt in international organizations, the Prime Minister highly appreciated Egypt's support to Armenia, especially in organizations Armenia is not a member of.

The Armenian side reaffirmed Armenia's support to Egypt in the ongoing negotiations on the free trade agreement between Eurasian Economic Union and Egypt, which will provide ample opportunities for promoting bilateral trade.

Highly appreciating the strong interstate relations formed in the last thirty years, the interlocutors emphasized further deepening of partnership in various economic, tourism, education, science, and culture branches.

"During the meeting, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan presented the steps taken to overcome the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan. The Prime Minister also emphasized the fact of another violation of the declaration of November 9, 2020, by Azerbaijan and emphasized the importance of the international community's attention and adequate response to it," the report added.

Read also: Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Working Visit in Azerbaijan