Edward Nalbandyan meets OSCE Chairperson-in-Office

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan received today the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swiss President, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter, Armenian Foreign Ministry said.

Welcoming the guest, Edward Nalbandyan said: “Armenia and Switzerland have in recent years made serious progress in various spheres in terms of expanding their bilateral cooperation and we hope for the further deepening and development of relations by joint efforts”.

“Very good and friendly relations have been established between our countries. A solid legal and contractual framework exists. Business links are expanded, and a group of Swiss businessmen are expected to visit Armenia, thanks to which, hopefully, Swiss investment in Armenian economy will become possible,” Didier Burkhalter said.

“Armenia assists Switzerland’s Chairmanship of the OSCE and is ready to contribute to the realization of the Swiss Chairmanship’s priorities. Out of those priorities, it attaches importance to the measures aimed at strengthening the security and stability and trust building in the South Caucasus,” Edward Nalbandyan stated.

The interlocutors discussed ways of cooperatin within the OSCE framework as well as issues on the OSCE agenda, the role of OSCE, and measures to increase its efficiency.

Edward Nalbandyan informed the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office about the latest developments in the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict and the efforts made by Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs in this direction.

Following the meeting, Edward Nalbandyan and Didier Burkhalter signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Armenian Foreign Ministry and Switzerland’s Department of Foreign Affairs about holding consultations between the two departments.

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office stressed that the Swiss Chairmanship unconditionally supports the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs. He expressed regret over the failure to implement the mediators’ proposals to establish mechanisms for investigation of border incidents.

The sides exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and ways of its resolution.

During the meeting the sides discussed the activities of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. The Armenian foreign minister highly appreciated the work done by the Office and underlined the importance of ensuring its systematic character.