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On February 8, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Galust Sahakyan received the Delegation headed by the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Maja Gojkovic that arrived in Armenia on an official visit.

Welcoming the guests in the Armenian Parliament, Galust Sahakyan has noted that though the Armenian-Serbian relations have history of many years based on mutual benevolence and support, however the fact of backing the anti-Armenian two Resolutions in the PACE last session by almost all members of the Serbian Delegation was a surprise for Armenia, what, in the RA NA Speaker’s word, contradicts the spirit of the years-old friendly relations of our countries, as well as the official position of Serbia on Karabakh problem. Galust Sahakyan considered necessary the formation of the active dialogue between the parliaments of the two countries and noted that in that way, perhaps, it would be possible to settle the situation created as a consequence of voting of the Serbian Delegation.

Touching upon the regional problems, the Speaker of the National Assembly has noted that one of the priorities of Armenia’s foreign policy is the Nagorno Karabakh problem, the solution of which Armenia sees by the only format accepted by the international community – within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group three Co-Chairs. “Despite the fact that Azerbaijan in all ways tries to impede the peaceful settlement of the problem, we will continue to adhere our position of solving the conflict through negotiations, not giving in the provocations of the opposite side,” Mr Sahakyan underlined.

Referring to the formation of the economic close ties between Armenia and Serbia, the Head of the Armenian Parliament stated: “We should both use the existing potential for reaching tangible results for the two peoples’ welfare.”

Galust Sahakyan has also noted that one of the most important issues of Armenia’s foreign policy is also the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, underscoring that the Republic of Armenia will make all efforts for reaching the full recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the international community.

Thanking for the reception, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Maja Gojkovic evaluated the friendly relations of the two countries, particularly, the deepening of the inter-parliamentary cooperation and the activation of the bilateral ties. Highlighting the partnership in the international structures, Maja Gojkovic proposed to activate the cooperation of the two parliaments. Talking about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, she stated that the Artsakh problem should be settled within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, on the basis of Madrid principles.

She expressed her gratitude to Armenia for defending the self-sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia on Kosovo issue.