Swedish FM rules out military solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict

PanARMENIAN.Net - The dynamic development of ties with Sweden is of special significance to Armenia, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian told a press conference Tuesday, February 9.

Following a Yerevan-hosted meeting with his Swedish counterpart Margot Wallström, Nalbandian said the parties discussed possibilities of further cooperation in economic, educational, scientific, cultural and health sectors.

“Also, we agreed to improve the legal framework and promote investments,” Nalbandian noted, adding that an agreement on avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion was signed shortly before.

“During our meeting, we dwelled upon Armenia-EU relations focusing on dialogue on the new framework agreement, current reforms in Armenia and Sweden’s readiness to support their implementation. We discussed Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs’ efforts aimed at the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,” the Armenian foreign policy chief said.

Wallström, in turn, expressed her country’s support to the peaceful negotiations, ruling out any military solution.

Addressing reporters, Wallström described her current visit to Armenia as a good opportunity to get an insight into the country’s perceptions of the long-lasting land dispute. She emphasized the need of investing maximum efforts in ruling out further escalation, expressing hope that a lasting peace will be achieved under the aegis of the Minsk Group.

Also, the official elaborated on the EU Eastern Partnership (EaP) project, noting that Sweden was among the countries calling for strong efforts for giving the EaP member states a high status in the EU family.

The minister also promised individualized approaches to separate member states to adjust different perspectives to specific needs and to develop the dialogue based upon the “more-for-more” principle.

Diplomatic relations between the Armenia and Sweden were established on July 10, 1992.