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On March 31 the Speaker of RA National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan received the President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey, who arrived in the Republic of Armenia on an official visit.

Greeting the guest the NA Speaker highlighted her visit with respect to strengthening and developing the relations between two countries. The NA Speaker noted that during his official visit to Switzerland he had felt how good the Swiss authorities were treating the Armenian community and in general, to the Armenian people.

Expressing her gratitude for warm reception the President of the Swiss Confederation noted that during the last years the relations between two countries have become rather closer, and the evidence of it also served different mutual visits at high level, as well as the opening of the Embassy of Switzerland in Armenia. In her words, the opening of the Embassy in Yerevan testifies to the wish of Switzerland to strengthen the relations with Armenia, As to the President of Switzerland, they carry out programmes in different spheres in Armenia, and from now on they intend to continue the cooperation in different directions.

The head of the Armenian Parliament noted that still from the years working in the government he was familiar with the programmes being implemented in Armenia by Switzerland, also coordinating them. Hovik Abrahamyan noted that Armenia had adopted policy of integrating to European family: active steps are taken for making reforms, in conforming the legislation of our country to European standards. Works are carried out with European structures, including the European Parliament.

Micheline Calmy-Rey noted that Switzerland was thankful to Armenia for confiding it mediator role in the process of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations. She said the Armenian authorities showed big courage initiating and signing protocols aimed at normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations.

Considering important the development of relations with Switzerland in all spheres NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan highly assessed the efforts of that country in the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations.

Noting that the members of RA NA Armenia-Switzerland Parliamentary Friendship Group actively cooperate with their Swiss counterparts, the NA Speaker underlined the need of activating the relations with the Swiss Parliament. In Hovik Abrahamyan’s word, today the role of the parliamentary diplomacy is more than ever important. The President of Switzerland shared her opinion with the Speaker of RA National Assembly, highlighting the role of the parliamentary friendship groups in the development of the relations between two countries.

According to Micheline Calmy-Rey, Switzerland highlights this region, implementing mediators’ activities between different countries.

At the meeting the sides also touched upon other issues of bilateral interest.