The years following Armenia's independence proclamation become a period of establishment of the Armenian diplomacy with numerous challenges and problems. Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian said in a congratulatory message on occasion of Diplomat's Day, the Foreign Ministry told ArmInfo.
"Armenia has established diplomatic relations with 160 countries, become a member of some ninety international organizations and signed nearly 1800 international agreements and treaties, which demonstrates the big work of Armenian diplomats," Nalbandian said.
The minister is sure that the world community perceives Armenia as a reliable partner. "Over the last twenty years Armenia has been contributing to peace and security in the world. Together with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, Armenia is exerting genuine efforts for peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict," Nalbandian said in his message. In this light, he said that five joint statements of Armenia and the leaders of the OSCE Mg co-chair-countries on the Karabakh peace process shows that Armenia's approaches are accepted and supported by the world community.
The minister said that ahead of the Armenian Genocide's centennial, the Armenian diplomacy is consistent in its efforts towards international recognition and condemnation of that terrible crime against humanity. Armenia is making relevant initiatives, like the one in Geneva last year when the UN Council for Human Rights unanimously passed a resolution initiated by Armenia to prevent genocides. Minister Nalbandian also said that the year 2013 was significant with Armenia's decision to access the Customs Union, which meets both economic and strategic interests of the country. According to the minister, Armenia is making consistent efforts to strengthen its strategic alliance with Russia, develop friendly partnerships with the USA and foster cooperation with Georgia and Iran, the countries of Europe and Asia.