YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, ARMENPRESS. The government has introduced Armenia’s foreign policy priorities in its draft Action Plan released today, reports Armenpress.

According to the draft, the Armenian government, while conducting a foreign policy, is guided by the collective interests of Armenia and its people.

The government’s foreign policy aims at preserving Armenia’s sovereignty, ensuring the security of Armenia and Artsakh, raising Armenia’s international reputation, constantly developing the mutually beneficial and equal relations with all states, increasing Armenia’s engagement in international and regional processes, deepening the cooperation in bilateral and multilateral formats, sustainable development of Armenia and the modernization of the economy, ensuring access to new markets and attracting new foreign investments to Armenia and Artsakh.

The principled priorities of the government’s foreign policy are ensuring international and regional security and the peaceful settlement of conflicts, international and regional cooperation aimed at sustainable development, protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, strengthening of democracy and prevention of crimes against humanity.

The draft says in the foreign policy field the government will towards settling the Nagorno Karabakh conflict exclusively peacefully within the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship format, which must be based on the fundamental principles of the international law, in particular, the peoples’ right to equality and self-determination. Artsakh’s status and ensuring its security are Armenia’s top priorities in the negotiation process.

The government will also take actions to ensure the continuation of the international recognition and condemnation process of the Armenian Genocide. The recognition of this crime against humanity will lead to regional security, stability and solidarity between the peoples, as well as the prevention of crimes.

According to the draft, the government will actively work on ensuring Armenia’s active and initiating participation in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) by contributing to further raising the effectiveness of these structures.

The government will develop the strategic-allied relations with Russia considering this goal as one of its key priorities. The Armenia-Russia relations are based on friendship, equality and the readiness to solve the issues with joint efforts. The government views Armenia’s strategic partnership with Russia as a key component on ensuring Armenia’s security system.

The draft states that the government will consistently develop the friendly partnership with the United States. The government is inclined to deepen the partnership with the US aimed at assisting Armenia’s development and reforms agenda and expanding the dialogue for regional stability.

The government will deepen the friendly relations and will expand the partnership with the European Union, its member states and other European countries.

It will also develop the unique and friendly ties with Iran and Georgia. The government is also inclined to develop the relations with China and the partner states of the Middle East.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan