Working visit of the President Vahagn Khachaturyan to the Swiss Confederation

The President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan had a working lunch meeting with a number of representatives of the Armenian community in Zurich within the framework of his visit to Switzerland.

The President of the Republic provided the attendees details about the basic principles and starting points of Armenia's internal and external policy, general realities.

In his speech, President Vahagn Khachaturyan referred to the developments in the South Caucasus region, the current situation in the relations with the neighbors. In this context, the President introduced Armenia's approaches and positions regarding the prospects of achieving stable and lasting peace in the region, forming an atmosphere of mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation with neighbors and partners.

During the meeting, President Vahagn Khachaturyan talked with the representatives of the community in a warm atmosphere and answered their questions.

The President of the Republic provided details, in particular, on the current developments in the economic life of Armenia, the steps taken by the authorities and the government towards enhancing the country's defense capability, and the implementation of democratic reforms.

In his speech, the President touched upon the activities and programs of the Armenian government to solve the social and humanitarian problems of internally displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh and, answering the questions of those present, noted the main directions and principles adopted by the Armenian authorities, which underlie the ideas of achieving a complete solution to the problems of internally displaced persons. 

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President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan, who is on a working visit to the Swiss Confederation, took part in the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

President Vahagn Khachaturyan will take part in panel discussions organized within the framework of the forum. Bilateral meetings with the leaders of a number of countries are also planned.

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Within the framework of the World Economic Forum in Davos, President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan had a meeting with King Philip of Belgium.

During the meeting, the sides touched upon the regional situation in the South Caucasus, the friendly relations between Armenia and Belgium, and the deepening of the Armenia-EU partnership.

The King of Belgium shared his warm impressions from his private visit to Armenia and highly appreciated the role of the Armenian Community in Belgium.

Over the course of the meeting a reference was made to the democratic reforms undertaken in Armenia during the recent years.

At the end of the meeting, President Vahagn Khachaturyan invited King Philip of Belgium to visit Armenia.

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Within the framework of the World Economic Forum in Davos, President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen.

During the meeting, the sides discussed both issues of deepening the bilateral agenda between Armenia and Finland and issues of the Armenia-EU partnership.

Over the course of the conversation, the general situation in the South Caucasus region and the existing security challenges were touched upon.

At the meeting, both sides attached the importance to democratic reforms carried out in Armenia in recent years, and concepts and ongoing programs aimed at strengthening democratic institutions.

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Within the framework of the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Vahagn Khachaturyan met with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

During the conversation, both sides positively assessed the effective cooperation of more than 30 years between Armenia and the UNHCR.

During the meeting, the humanitarian and social problems of internally displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023 and steps aimed at solving them were touched upon.

Filippo Grandi was particularly interested in social protection and accommodation conditions of more than 100 thousand Armenian refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh and other humanitarian problems. In this context, the President of the Republic presented in detail the programs and activities implemented by the Government of Armenia in a short period, which are aimed at solving both primary and complex problems of internally displaced persons.

At the end of the meeting, an agreement was reached to continue working contacts and close cooperation in solving existing problems.

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Within the framework of the World Economic Forum in Davos, President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan met with Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva.

During the conversation, the President of the Republic highly appreciated Armenia's effective cooperation with the IMF and expressed confidence that the cooperation will be long-lasting.

In his speech, the IMF Managing Director highlighted Armenia's impressive financial performance in recent years, stressing that in case of stable and final peace establishment in the region, broader opportunities and directions of economic growth will be recorded.

During the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on the current challenges and their impact on the development and progress of the global economy.

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During the Davos Economic Forum, President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan met with General Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi.

During the meeting, President Khachaturyan emphasized the importance of long-term and effective cooperation between the Government of Armenia and the IAEA, which is essential for ensuring Armenia's energy security.

During the conversation, ideas were exchanged regarding the further development of nuclear as a "green" energy sector in Armenia. The General Director of the IAEA stressed that Armenia can always count on the support of the IAEA.

At the end of the meeting, an agreement was reached to continue close cooperation, in particular, in the framework of providing expert advice and comprehensive support.

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During the Davos Economic Forum, President Vahagn Khachaturyan met with President of the International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD) Alvaro Lario.

During the meeting, both sides highly appreciated the decades of effective cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the Foundation.

The interlocutors discussed the possibilities of expanding and developing the activities of small farms in Armenia. Both sides highlighted efforts aimed at the implementation of high-tech agriculture and innovative programs in the field.

At the meeting, views were also exchanged on the establishment of the agricultural insurance system and the expansion of its application.

At the end of the meeting, an agreement was reached on making efforts for further strengthening and developing cooperation.

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President Vahagn Khachaturyan met with Prime Minister of Mongolia Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai in Davos.

During the meeting, issues of activation of cooperation between the two countries in the spheres of mutual interest were discussed.

Both sides pointed out the importance of promoting mutually beneficial partnerships within the group of landlocked countries.

The sides noted the expediency of increasing mutual recognition of the two nations in terms of further development of relations by establishing and strengthening tourist, cultural and business ties.

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Within the framework of the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Vahagn Khachaturyan met with President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski.

In the course of the conversation, the importance of the contribution of efforts to the continuous development and expansion of relations in both bilateral and multilateral formats was emphasized.

In this context, both sides noted that there are positive preconditions and potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in the relations between Armenia and North Macedonia.

During the conversation, the general regional situation in the South Caucasus, existing developments and security challenges were touched upon.

At the end of the meeting, the interlocutors expressed their willingness to make efforts to expand the bilateral agenda and promote multi-sectoral cooperation.

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President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan had a brief conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron during the economic forum in Davos.

In the course of the conversation, the presidents discussed the regional realities of the South Caucasus and recent developments.

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President Vahagn Khachaturyan met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian within the World Economic Forum framework in Davos.

During the meeting, ideas on a number of issues of global and regional importance were exchanged. Both sides emphasized the need for global peace and stability.

The Armenian side highly appreciated the position of the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia and the inseparability of its borders.

The interlocutors highlighted the relations between Armenia and Iran, which have a thousand-year history, as well as mutual understanding and a unified approach that exist around the protection and preservation of the religious and cultural heritage of the two neighboring nations.

The interlocutors also pointed out the special role of the Armenian community of Iran, which contributes to the development of Iran-Armenia relations. Issues of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, the implementation of existing and planned programs and ensuring further continuity were touched upon during the meeting.

Reference was made to cooperation in energy, transport, tourism, cultural and other spheres.

At the end of the meeting, constant contacts and periodic exchanges of ideas at different levels were noted between the two neighbouring countries as well.

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Within the framework of the Davos Economic Forum, President Vahagn Khachaturyan met with Alexander Schallenberg, the Federal Minister for European and Foreign Affairs of Austria.

During the meeting, issues on the agenda of the Armenian-Austrian bilateral and multilateral cooperation were touched upon.

A particular reference was made to the RA-EU partnership.

The interlocutors exchanged ideas on the regional situation, existing challenges and developments.

The sides pointed out the full use of the existing potential in economy, culture, tourism and other spheres of two countries.

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President Vahagn Khachaturyan had brief conversations with Argentina’s President Javier Milei, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The Presidents of Armenia and Argentina exchanged ideas on agenda issues of mutual interest to both countries, as well as the implementation of programs and opportunities aimed at further strengthening of relations.

Over the course of the meeting the economic reforms initiated and being implemented by the President of Argentina were touched upon.

Efforts towards the further extension of friendly ties between Armenia and Argentina were pointed out.

During the conversation with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, President Vahagn Khachaturyan briefed details on the latest developments in the region and the principled approaches of Armenia regarding the establishment of stable and long-lasting peace in the South Caucasus.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed hope that the regional issues will be resolved as soon as possible, which will guarantee stability and development for the entire region.

Both sides emphasized the imperative for establishing definitive peace and good-neighborly relations in the region.

During the talks with former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, President Vahagn Khachaturyan spoke about the situation in the region and the prospects and opportunities for confronting security challenges.

Interlocutors emphasized the importance of principled positions targeted at protection of democratic values and strengthening democratic institutions.

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In Davos, President Vahagn Khachaturyan met with Prime Minister of Iraq’s Kurdistan, Masrour Barzani.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on a number of issues on the agenda of bilateral interest.

During the conversation, reference was made to the general situation and current developments in the region and beyond.

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President Vahagn Khachaturyan met with Daren Tang, the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

During the meeting, decades of efficient cooperation between Armenia and the Organization were touched upon.

The sides discussed the formation of an appropriate legislative field related to intellectual property in Armenia and pointed out the importance of implementation of the tools and strategies necessary for its application.

The interlocutors reached an agreement on the issue of the organization's support to Armenia both in the field of expert and consulting services and in the field of personnel training.

The importance of training relevant specialists was particularly noted, for which the existing cooperation between the educational sector of Armenia and WIPO is an efficient platform.

Following the meeting, the sides expressed their readiness to take steps to develop further cooperation.

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In Davos, President Vahagn Khachaturyan had a meeting with Secretary General of "Amnesty International" Agnes Callamard.

During the conversation, the humanitarian situation and existing problems in the region in the aftermath of the forced deportation of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023 were touched upon. In this context, interlocutors reaffirmed the imperative of the primacy of international legal norms and fundamental human rights.

During the meeting, the sides touched upon the programs implemented and planned by the Government of Armenia to support internally displaced persons in a short period of time and the directions of their realizations.

President Vahagn Khachaturyan and Agnes Callamard highly appreciated the effective cooperation between Armenia and the organization for almost three decades and agreed to make efforts to strengthen and expand cooperation in the near future.

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Within the Davos World Economic Forum framework, President Vahagn Khachaturyan met with Samantha Power, head of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

During the meeting, the general situation of the South Caucasus region and the existing humanitarian problems were discussed.

The results of the last regional visit of the head of the Agency were touched upon.

The President of the Republic reiterated Armenia's principled position to achieve stable and lasting peace and noted that the peace process has no alternative.

During the conversation, both sides pointed to the importance of joining forces to solve humanitarian problems and the need for further steps.

In this context, ideas were exchanged regarding implementation of the agreements reached between the RA government and the Agency. Samantha Power reaffirmed the Organization's readiness to expand the scope of cooperation.

The interlocutors also highly appreciated the close cooperation between Armenia and "USAID" for nearly three decades and emphasized the continuity of joint steps aimed at further deepening targeted cooperation.