Within the framework of the visit Edgars Rinkevics will meet with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Chairman of the National Assembly Galust Sahakyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

The meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the two countries will be followed by a joint press conference.

According to the information of Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the talks with Armenian President and Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius emphasized that “Armenia’s relations with the EU are an important stimulus for the implementation of domestic reforms, and Lithuania is ready to support that dialogue.”

“The European Union should continue to reinforce the cooperation with Armenia in all spheres, that do not contradict the foreign political course chosen by the country,” the Lithuanian Foreign Minister said.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received today his visiting Lithuanian counterpart Linas Linkevičius.

The parties discussed a broad range of issues related to bilateral political dialogue, economic relations, cultural ties, reinforcement of the legal framework and Armenia-EU relations.

The Armenian Foreign Minister noted with gratitude that Lithuania is one of the countries that have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide. Minister Nalbandian said the recognition of the Genocide by Seimas in 2005 once again proved the commitment of the Lithuanian people to undisputable universal values and justice.

Edward Nalbandian briefed his Lithuanian counterpart on the efforts of Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries towards the peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict. The two ministers discussed issues on international and regional agenda, the Ukraine crisis, the developments in the Middle East.

Linas Linkevičius said at a press conference that followed the meeting that he hopes Armenia knows how to develop relations with the Eurasian Economic Union so that they do not harm the cooperation with the EU.

Speaking about the developments in the Middle East, the Armenian Foreign Minister warned that “those who use the terrorists may become their target themselves.” He reminded about the Karabah war, when Azerbaijan had engaged Afghan militants in the military actions.” Nalbandian said Azerbaijani militants are fighting inside the Islamic State today.

Minister Linkevičius also stated that terrorism recognizes no limits and it’s necessary to be part of the coalition fighting against the Islamic State and work out a joint approach.

Edward Nalbandian referred to the process of settlement of the Karabakh conflict and said Azerbaijan’s aspirations to take the process to a different format are against Armenia. “Baku is thus trying to frustrate the negotiation process,” he said.

A number of issues related to bilateral economic relations, including trade turnover, investments, tourism, the possibility of direct air communication, industry and exchange of experiences in free economic zones were discussed at the meeting. The parties stressed the importance of strengthening the relations through reciprocal business forums and visits.

The sides stressed the importance of the idea of organizing the Armenian-Lithuanian intergovernmental commission, as it is an important format for development of bilateral relations.

Within the framework of the meeting the sides discussed the latest developments in the Armenia-EU relations, in particular Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union. The sides stressed the importance to develop relations and to ensure the continuity of ongoing reforms.

In this context Tigran Sargsyan underlined the importance of formation of a new agenda of the Intergovernmental Commission, as well as the necessity of organization and conduct of different business forums.

The parties noted that the cooperation in the fields of information technologies and tourism could be promising and stressed the need to take steps toward deepening of cultural ties.

Erikas Petrikas expressed the support of Lithuania to our county in the processes of the European integration and implementation of reforms within the framework of the Eastern Partnership Program.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to Lithuania for its balanced position on the Nagorno Karabakh issue and thanked the Lithuanian MPs for the initiative to establish a Friendship Group with Artsakh.

President Sargsyan congratulated the Ambassador on assuming office and wished him productive activity.

Serzh Sargsyan hailed the progress registered in the bilateral relations in the recent years and voiced hope that the Ambassador would take necessary steps towards further reinforcement of ties.

Ambassador Petrikas said it was a great honor for him to be Lithuania’s Ambassador in Armenia and assured that he would do his best to use the existing potential to deepen the cooperation between the two countries in different spheres.

The interlocutors exchanged views on Armenian-Lithuanian relations within the framework of the European Union.

Issues related to Armenian-Lithuanian relations, bilateral military cooperation and the perspectives of development will be discussed during the meetings with high-ranking officials of Lithuania. Reference will be made to regional security issues.

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov met Lithuanian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Arturas Zhurauskas. Khalafov said Azerbaijan is concerned about the initiative to create the Lithuanian Parliament Friendship Group with Nagorno-Karabakh, Azeri media report.

Khalafov noted that this initiative put forward by some MPs, does not respond to the state of relations between the two countries, and casts a shadow on the existing relationship.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs handed a note of protest to the Lithuanian diplomat and expressed hope that the case would be investigated and the Lithuanian side would take measures to prevent such situations.

The participants also honored the memory of the victims of the Sumgait massacre.

Members of the Lithuanian legislative body, representatives of political, social and academic circles, including the founding members of the Lithuanian movement of “Sajudis” as well as members of the Armenian community of Lithuania participated at the conference.

Minister of Foreign affairs Karen Mirzoyan was invited as a special guest of the conference and delivered a speech where he noted that the movements of the national revival that united the Armenian and Lithuanian peoples around common ideals and principles of freedom and democracy have resulted in independence. “In  Lithuanian case the independence gave its people a chance to restore its statehood and fully integrate into the international community, the European Union,” stated Karen Mirzoyan, stressing that the people of Artsakh not only had to assert its right to freedom and independence  but also to struggle for its survival and right to live on the land of its ancestors.

The minister reminded that Azerbaijan from the very beginning rejected dialogue and search for political settlement of the issue, resorting to the threats and terror, in response to the peaceful and lawful demands of the people of the Nagorno Karabakh.   “But our people withstood and passed the test of the imposed war. In May 1994 the ceasefire agreement was signed which gave us opportunity of peaceful life and building of an independent statehood”, – said Karen Mirzoyan.

He stressed that NKR is committed to the democratic way of state building, which guarantees all the fundamental human rights and freedoms. Even though Nagorno Karabakh is an unrecognized state and may not undertake commitments to observe the universal democratic standards before international organizations, but it is steadfast in following them. “Moreover the  human rights record in our republic is significantly higher than in many recognized states, which was reflected in the last Freedom House report”, – the minister noted. He expressed regret that the unrecognized status of the NKR is a barrier for its full involvement in the international developments that in turn limits the exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms of its citizens.

Dwelling upon the issue of Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict settlement, the minister reiterated the the NKR’s commitment to the peaceful settlement of all disputable issues with Azerbaijan. At the same time he noted with regret that the official Baku does not only reject all the proposals of the mediators but also suppresses any even weak initiatives towards reconciliation, as well as  implants cult of hatred towards Armenians and anything Armenian and propagates xenophobia, intolerance and militaristic moods.

Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Vahan Hovhannesyan and Armenian Ambassador to Lithuania Ara Ayvazyan  addressed the conference and noted the irreversibility of the democratic processes started 25 years ago, emphasizing the importance of the ideas and the spirit  in the peaceful settlement of conflicts. Members of Seimas Dangutė Mikutienė, Algis Kašėta, Vilija Aleknaitė-Abramikienė  also delivered speeches and mentioned the importance of the imperative of staying committed to the ideas of the democratic movements.  Lithuanian MP Dalia Kuodyte read a declaration on establishing in the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Friendship Group with the Republic of Artsakh (the Nagorno Karabakh Republic). The original of the signed document was officially handed in to NKR Foreign Minister  Karen Mirzoyan. Nine members of different fractions of the Lithuanian Seimas joined the initiative.

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan had a meeting with Lithuania’s Deputy Foreign Minister Vytauto Leškevičiaus.

Issues related to Armenia-EU cooperation, the positive process of signing of the Armenia-EU Association Agreement and creation of a free trade area.

Next, Armenia’s deputy FM met with Director of Political Affairs Department of the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dalius Čekuolis; Director of Eastern Neighbourhood Policy Department, Ambassador Edminas Bagdonas; and other Lithuanian MFA representatives. The interlocutors reflected on bilateral, multilateral and regional matters, and on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

On the same day, discussions were held at the European Club of the Lithuanian Seimas (Parliament), where Deputy FM Mnatsakanyan spoke about Armenia’s foreign policy priorities, cooperation with EU, and the country’s outlook on regional security issues and on a variety of international matters.

Subsequently, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan met with Lithuanian Seimas Deputy Speaker and European Affairs Committee Chairman, Gediminas Kirkilas, during which they discussed the avenues for deepening interparliamentary cooperation.