On April 17, Acting Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

Welcoming the guest, Edward Nalbandian noted that Mr. Jagland who holds the position of Secretary General of the Council of Europe, is visiting Armenia for the second time, this time the visit is taking place at the beginning of the upcoming Presidency of Armenia at the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

"Exactly one month later, on May 16, Armenia will assume the Presidency of the Council of Europe. This is a very important milestone for Armenia as a member country of the EC, but also a great responsibility, and we should exert the necessary efforts to fulfill this mission," said Acting Foreign Minister.

Expressing his gratitude for the invitation and reception, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe said that after joining the organization, there has been significant reforms in Armenia in terms of human rights, provision of freedom of speech and democracy and the results of those are visible.

The sides discussed the priorities of Armenia’s Presidency at the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, attached importance to the inclusion of all three areas of the Council of Europe such as the human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Armenia’s priorities. Edward Nalbandian noted that in the frames of Presidency a number of important events are scheduled at the Parliamentarian level, at the level of the Constitutional Courts, at the level of Foreign Ministers, as well as in areas such as inter-religious, inter-cultural dialogue and local democracy, the fight against intolerance and discrimination, education, youth policies. A conference is planned at the level of the mayors of the capitals of the member states of the Council of Europe.

There will be high-level visits to Strasbourg particularly the visit of the President of the Republic of Armenia.

Armenia's Foreign Minister expressed support for the reform initiatives of the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe.

During the meeting the implementation of Action Plan of 2012-2014 of Armenia-Council of Europe was bilaterally highlighted.

Acting Foreign Minister of Armenia presented to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe the latest developments in Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, the steps taken by the international community and Armenia in that direction.

After the meeting Thorbjørn Jagland and Edward Nalbandian signed a memorandum of the establishment of the office of the Council of Europe and a memorandum of understanding of its legal status, which will raise the status of the presence of the Council of Europe in Armenia onto a new level.

Edward Nalbandian and Thorbjørn Jagland had a joint press conference.