On December 5, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian received the delegation headed by Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates.

Firstly Minister Nalbandian congratulated the guests on the UAE’s Independence Day and mentioned with satisfaction that cooperation between Armenia and the Emirates is dynamically developing and recently intensified high-level mutual visits, increasing interest of the Emirate businessmen towards Armenia are the evidence of that. By Edward Nalbandian’s words the Emirates are important economic partner for Armenia in the Middle East region and Armenia is interested in more strengthening and deepening of the existing relationship.

The UAE State Minister for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash thanked for warm reception and stressed that his country is determined to broaden cooperation with friendly Armenia and is already undertaking specific steps in that direction.

The sides had a detailed discussion on issues concerning the partnership in different areas, cooperation within international organizations, attached importance to holding consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Armenia and the Emirates, which would give an opportunity for regular discussion of regional and international issues of mutual interest. The two emphasized that there is a serious potential for the expansion of economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

Minister Nalbandian mentioned that Armenia welcomes and encourages  Emirati investors to invest in different areas of Armenia’s economy, particularly in the fields of agriculture, chemical industry, construction, jewelry and others.

The two exchanged views on maintaining and strengthening security in the South Caucasus and the Middle East.

The UAE State Minister expressed the support of the Emirates for the process of normalizations of Armenian-Turkish relations.

Anwar Gargash presented to Minister Nalbandian the current stage of Middle East peace process. Within that context, Edward Nalbandian mentioned that geographically being close to the Middle East region, Armenia is profoundly interested in the establishment of peace and stability in that region.

Edward Nalbandian informed Anwar Gargash on the recent developments in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) peace process. With that regard, the UAE State Minister said that his country is supporting the peaceful settlement of the issue within the frameworks of international law.

After the meeting, Ministers signed Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Combating Trafficking-in-Persons.

The ceremony was followed by the joint press conference.