Press Statement by President Serzh Sargsyan at the conclusion of the meeting with the President of Lithuania

Madam President,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

I once again welcome the President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė and members of her delegation in Armenia.

After our countries regained independence, relations between Armenia and Lithuania have been developing dynamically. Armenia views Lithuania as a friendly country and a reliable partner. I would like to note with satisfaction that the Armenian-Lithuanian dialogue, which rest on a solid interstate basis, develops and expands by year, encompassing new areas of cooperation.

During our meeting with President Grybauskaitė, we held a productive and constructive discussions on a number of issues of mutual interest and spoke about some regional and global issues. We reiterated our mutual desire and readiness to deepen our relations on bilateral and multilateral levels.

I once again expressed my gratitude to the President of Lithuania for the unanimous recognition of the Armenian Genocide at the Parliament of Lithuania which testifies to the high moral standing of the Lithuanian people and their ability to place universal human values above momentary considerations. Back in the 19th century, the Lithuanian people responded to the massacres carried out by the Turks in the Ottoman Empire, publishing in the papers of the day articles on the history and culture of the Armenian people, stressing the similarity of historical fates of the Armenian and Lithuanian people.

Taking into consideration common historical past, I also stressed the import of adopting the Lithuanian experience of state building, Eurointegration and assistance in the framework of the Eastern Partnership. I referred to the cooperation of the Baltic states as a successful model and expressed regrets that at the moment the same model cannot be utilized in our region since Azerbaijan continues to deep the self-created rift, drawing dividing lines which are so improper in the 21st century.

We have also spoken about Lithuania’s Chairmanship at the OSCE which is an honorary but at the same time very responsible mission assumed before the international community. I assessed positively Vilnius’s desire to support the NK peace process, and underscored commitment of the Armenian side to reach resolution exclusively through peaceful means.

Unfortunately, Azerbaijan continues to build up tension through the recurrent statements, which have nothing to do with the requirements of civilized dialogue, which seriously undermine the entire process of negotiations. Azerbaijan has chosen the tactics of foot-dragging, and is actually waiting for a chance to embark on a new reckless military scheme.

Armenia welcomes the efforts of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and personal efforts of the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev aimed at the resolution of the conflict. We are ready to work, ready to negotiate; we are ready to search for compromise. However, it is essential that Azerbaijan too manifests similar desire to find a solution.

I once again thank the President of Lithuania for the engaging discussions. Madam President, the floor is yours.