On October 18, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan received the Head of the Group of Rapporteurs on Democracy of the CoE Committee of Ministers, Ambassador of Sweden to the Council of Europe Martin Ehnberg and the delegation headed by him. The delegation also included the Ambassadors of France, Russia, Switzerland, Finland, Estonia, Andorra, Iceland and representatives of the CoE Secretariat to Armenia.

Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Ambassador Ehnberg commended the multifaceted cooperation established between Armenia and the Council of Europe, expressing confidence that the effective cooperation will further develop. Ararat Mirzoyan stressed the fundamental role of the support provided by the Council of Europe in the implementation of democratic reforms, ensuring the rule of law and the protection of human rights in Armenia. The implementation of the CoE-Armenia 2019-2022 Action Plan was highlighted in this regard.

Touching upon the aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh with gross violations of human rights and the resulting situation, the Minister highly appreciated the statements and calls for the cessation of hostilities by various CoE bodies from the beginning of the war. In the context of overcoming the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh, the Foreign Minister of Armenia also emphasized the need for unimpeded involvement of international organizations on the ground, including the relevant bodies of the Council of Europe.

Ararat Mirzoyan stressed that Azerbaijan continues to hold Armenian prisoners of war and captured civilians, which is a gross violation of international humanitarian law, as well as its obligations undertaken with the trilateral statement.