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Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Korea the Armenian-Korean cooperation has developed in the friendly atmosphere. I would like to highlight the deepening of the ties between the parliaments of our countries and role of the parliamentary diplomacy as an important means of the development of the inter-state relations. In this issue the opening of the resident Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Yerevan will be an important impetus: the Head of the RA NA Armenia-Korea Friendship Group Tsovinar Vardanyan noted, hosting the delegation led by the Chair of the NA Korea-Armenia Friendship Group of the Republic of Korea Ki Hun Song.

The Head of the Friendship Group expressed her gratitude for the assistance of the Government of Korea shown to Armenia and added that there is wish to restart the cooperation with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). She underlined that Armenia highlights the opening of the Office of KOICA in Yerevan.

“We value the balanced position of the Republic of Korea on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the deputy noted, emphasizing the establishment of peace in the region and speaking about the situation created in Artsakh. She presented the consequences of the humanitarian disaster because of blocking the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan, in this issue expecting also the Korean colleagues’ response.

Tsovinar Vardanyan touched upon the Agreement on Economic, Industrial, Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Republic of Korea, informing that the Armenian side will end the inner-state procedures soon and it will be submitted to the ratification of parliament.

The Head of Korea-Armenia Friendship Group in his turn emphasized the role of inter-parliamentary diplomacy in boosting the bilateral ties, underlining that often at inter-state level it is possible to overcome the unsolved problems at the level of legislators. Expressing readiness for expanding the cooperation, Ki Hun Song mentioned that the Government of his country will convey the concerns and proposals of the Armenian side.

The member of the Friendship Group Sungjoo Kim, highlighting the efforts of the Armenian side aimed at the establishment of peace, in this context highly appreciated the humanitarian aid sent to Turkey from Armenia after the disastrous earthquake.

The sides held the same opinion that there is unrealized huge potential of cooperation in a series of spheres, they should make efforts in that direction.

The members of the Friendship Group referred to the cultural and historical connections of the two countries and the expansion of bilateral cooperation. In a number of spheres, particularly in the reforms being underway in the army, the study of the Korean best experience and the exchange of experience was underscored. They expressed hope that Korea will support the settlement of the Artsakh problem on the basis of the OSCE Minsk Co-Chairmanship principles in the issue of right of the Nagorno Karabakh people in controlling their destiny.

The members of the Friendship Group Vahagn Aleksanyan, Artur Khachatryan, Taguhi Ghazaryan, Narek Babayan and Arusyak Julhakyan took part in the meeting.