On February 2, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan held a meeting with the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria Alexander Schallenberg, who is in Yerevan on a working visit. The meeting commenced with a tete-a-tete format, then continued in an extended one with the participation of the delegations.

Welcoming the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria Alexander Schallenberg, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan noted: "It is noteworthy that the visit takes place in the jubilee year of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Austria. This is an opportunity to outline steps towards strengthening political dialogue between our two countries and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation."

The Ministers discussed issues related to the rich agenda of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Armenia and Austria. The importance of the development of economic ties between the two countries was emphasised, in this context highlighting the activity of the Armenian-Austrian intergovernmental commission on trade-economic and scientific-technical cooperation, as well as the establishment of contacts between the business circles.

Minister Mirzoyan commended Armenia's inclusion in the Strategic Framework Program of the Austrian Development Cooperation 2021-2027, expressing conviction that the latter provides wide opportunities for further progress in the direction of strengthening democracy, protection of human rights and economic development.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Austria touched upon international and regional developments. They exchanged views on the process of normalisation of relations between Armenia and Turkey without preconditions.

The Ministers discussed the situation resulting from the aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Nagorno-Karabakh and its people, as well as by the infiltration of the Azerbaijani armed forces into the sovereign territory of Armenia.

They also touched upon humanitarian issues, in particular, the immediate repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and other detainees, the preservation of the Armenian cultural heritage in the territories fallen under Azerbaijani control, and the unhindered involvement of relevant international organizations on the ground. In this context, Ararat Mirzoyan expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by the Austrian Government in overcoming the humanitarian consequences of the 44-day war.

The Ministers stressed the need for a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship. In this regard, the Foreign Minister of Armenia stressed that the Armenian side, among other issues on the agenda, emphasises the importance of resuming the Co-Chairs' visits to the region.

Ararat Mirzoyan and Alexander Schallenberg also discussed issues related to the Armenia-EU partnership.

The meeting was followed by a joint press conference of the ministers.

Later, with the participation of the two ministers, the official opening ceremony of the Austrian Development Agency office took place, where Ararat Mirzoyan delivered an opening remarks.

In the same morning, accompanied by The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, the delegation led by the the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria Alexander Schallenberg visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial and payed tribute to the memory of the holy martyrs of the Genocide.