Armenia President pays "unprecedented" visit to Saudi ArabiaOctober 27, 2021 - 10:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian President Armen Sarkissian paid a working visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, October 26, in what his office described as a "turning point" in Armenia's international relations. Sarkissian himself said on social media the trip was "unprecedented". "October 26, 2021 will mark the special page in the history of Armenian-Arab relations, particularly those between the Republic of Armenia and Saudi Arabia," the President's staff said in a statement. "In the absence of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Saudi Arabia since Armenia's independence, when no official from Armenia had ever visited that country, the President of Armenia took a historic step, visiting for the first time a country with a unique role and significance in the Arab and Islamic world." At the airport of the capital of Saudi Arabia, Sarkissian was greeted by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia Adel al-Jubeir. According to the official protocol, the state flag of the Republic of Armenia was hoisted at the airport. There is no official diplomatic relations between Armenia and Saudi Arabia, although the relationship between the two countries has witnessed significant warming since the 2010s. Top stories The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. London’s Armenian community has been left feeling “under attack” after the city’s Genocide monument was vandalised. The United States believes there should be an international mission to provide transparency. Partner news | Turkey extends military presence in Azerbaijan The Turkish parliament has adopted a bill submitted by Recep Tayyip Erdogan to extend the mandate of Turkish troops. Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills Armenian, Saudi Foreign Minister meet in Riyadh The two commended the positive dynamics of the development of political dialogue between Armenia and Saudi Arabia Pashinyan: Azerbaijan’s proximity shouldn’t worry border residents At the same time, he said that he “does not guarantee [the security of villagers] one hundred percent”. |