YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 22, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian, who is in Moscow on an official visit, met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

As “Armenpress” was informed from the press service of MFA Armenia, following the private conversation between the two foreign ministers, expanded-format talks took place with the participation of the delegations.

Greeting Minister Nalbandian, Lavrov stressed the importance of the already traditional high-level visits for the development of the allied relations between the two states.

The Armenian foreign Minister, thanking for the invitation and the cordial reception, noted that the current official visit is symbolic, since it takes place in the year of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and it is also important since takes place ahead of the official visit of the Armenian President to Russia.

During the talks the Ministers discussed in detail the preparatory works of the upcoming visit of the Armenian President to Russia, the implementation process of the agreements reached between the two Presidents, as well as referred to other issues of bilateral agenda.

The FMs of Armenia and Russia discussed political, military-technical, economic, inter-parliamentary, humanitarian and cultural cooperation.

The sides also touched upon partnership in international organizations, including the UN, OSCE, CSTO, EAEU and CIS.

Nalbandian and Lavrov discussed urgent regional and international issues. The situation in the Middle East and the efforts to settle the Syrian crisis were touched upon. Nalbandian expressed gratitude to the Russian side for transporting Armenia’s humanitarian aid to Syria.

Nagorno Karabakh peace process was the key issue of the meeting’s agenda. The Armenian and Russian FMs shared the opinion that the peaceful settlement has no alternative. The importance of unconditional commitment to the 1994-95 trilateral ceasefire agreement, the inadmissibility of using force of the threat to use force, the necessity to implement the agreements reached in Vienna and St. Petersburg were highlighted.

During the ceremony following the meeting Sergey Lavrov handed the “Order of Friendship” to Nalbandian awarded to him by Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Afterwards, Edward Nalbandian bestowed “Medals of Honour” of Armenian Foreign Ministry on a number of Russian MFA diplomats.

After the meeting Ministers Nalbandian and Lavrov gave a joint press conference and answered the questions of the reporters.

Following the press conference, Sergey Lavrov offered official dinner in honor of Edward Nalbandian.