On March 16, RA Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan received the delegation of the Iraq-Armenia parliamentary friendship group of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Iraq in Armenia, led by the group’s chairman Muhammad Sadik Muhammad.
Welcoming the members of the delegation, Vahan Kostanyan highly appreciated the current positive dynamics of the development of multi-sectoral relations with Iraq, emphasizing the role and efforts of the two countries’ parliaments in this regard.
The parties discussed various issues related to the bilateral cooperation agenda, including Armenian-Iraqi collaboration in the economy, healthcare, education, and tourism. The activation of the works within the framework of the Armenian-Iraqi intergovernmental commission was emphasized, as well as the holding of political consultations between foreign political departments.
During the meeting, regional security and stability issues were discussed. The deputy minister comprehensively presented the process of regulating Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and the situation created in the region due to the blocking of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan. Vahan Kostanyan considered Azerbaijan’s speculations of the religious factor unacceptable and groundless attempts to disrupt the traditionally warm relations between Armenia and the Armenian people and the Arab world, noting that Armenia has historically friendly relations with the vast majority of Arab states. Vahan Kostanyan thanked close Iraq for its neutral position.
