Mirzoyan, Blinken talk Karabakh, Armenian Pows in SwedenDecember 3, 2021 - 10:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, who is in Stockholm, Sweden on a working visit, met with Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, on Thursday, December 2. The sides commended the level and the development dynamics of the political dialogue between Armenia and the United States, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said in a press release. Mirzoyan highly appreciated the U.S. support to democratic development, capacity building of state structures, the rule of law and the fight against corruption in Armenia. Blinken expressed the full support of the U.S. side for the process of democratic reforms in Armenia. The Armenian foreign policy chief highly appreciated the resolute position of the United States regarding the issue of recognizing the Armenian Genocide. In this context, referring to President Joe Biden's this year’s statement on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the Foreign Minister underscored that, therefore, the United States reiterated its commitment to the protection of human rights, the values and principles of humanity. The sides also discussed issues related to international and regional security and stability. In this context, Mirzoyan briefed the U.S. Secretary of State on the situation resulting from the infiltration of the Azerbaijani armed forces into the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia and the recent aggression against the territorial integrity of Armenia. In this regard, the interlocutors highlighted the importance of implementing steps towards the de-escalation of the situation. At the meeting, the sides had a detailed discussion on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In the context of urgent humanitarian issues resulting from the 44-day war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh, the imperative of repatriating Armenian prisoners of war, hostages and other detainees was stressed. Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and Secretary of State Blinken emphasized the need for a resumption of the peace process aimed at comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship. The role of the United States as a Co-Chair country was also highlighted. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. Ex-President: Only removal of “defeatist” rulers can save Armenia Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Pashinyan: We must stop searching for homeland, we have found that homeland Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |