YEREVAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS. Parliament’s Speaker Ara Babloyan on June 9 held a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Lithuania to Armenia Erikas Petrikas, press service of the Parliament told Armenpress.

Welcoming the guest, Speaker Babloyan highly appreciated the current level of relations between Armenia and Lithuania.

The Speaker expressed his gratitude to the Ambassador of a country which was first to recognize Armenia’s independence and attached importance to Lithuania’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide, calling this step as another victory of civilization. “The recognition of the Genocide is a universal issue especially now when the world is shocked by terrorism, and today also genocides are taking place. I think civilized countries must give adequate response to this”, Babloyan said, adding that Armenia took the democracy path, the progress over human rights protection, freedom of speech is already visible.

The Speaker attached importance to the role of parliamentary diplomacy and friendship groups in developing and deepening the bilateral ties, highlighting the significance of productive cooperation of friendly states at international platforms.

In his turn the Lithuanian Ambassador conveyed the congratulations of their Parliament Speaker to Ara Babloyan on his election as Speaker of the Parliament.

Erikas Petrikas talked about the achievements reached during his tenure and thanked head of Armenia-Lithuania parliamentary friendship group Eduard Sharmazanov for his contribution to developing and deepening the bilateral relations.

The Ambassador expressed hope the signing of Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement will provide new opportunities of cooperation to the two friendly countries.