The delegation led by the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, Urška Klakočar Zupančič, is in Armenia at the invitation of RA NA Speaker Alen Simonyan. After a private conversation with Alen Simonyan and making a note in the RA NA memorial book, the Slovenian guests participated in the meeting with an expanded composition.
The RA NA Speaker emphasized the role of parliamentary diplomacy in interstate relations, highly evaluating the effective ties between the two countries friendly groups of legislative bodies.
The parties happily referred to the meeting between Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia Robert Golob scheduled for June 1 in the framework of the second summit of the European Political Community in Chisinau. Alen Simonyan emphasized cooperation with Slovenia within the collaboration framework with the European Union.
The President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia expressed gratitude for the participation of a group of Artsakh children in the Republic of Slovenia in October 2022 in the “Psychological-social rehabilitation of children affected by the armed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh” program. Urška Zupančič said the Slovenian government extended the program for another two years. The parties discussed issues related to regional security.
“We welcome the urgent resolution adopted by the Slovenian Parliament on the humanitarian consequences of the blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as the principled positions regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Azerbaijan’s aggression towards Armenia,” Alen Simonyan noted.
After listening to the details of the post-war situation, the Slovenian colleague noted that in their country, they are following the problem caused by the Azerbaijani aggression in the territory of Armenia and are familiar with the crisis in the Lachin Corridor. According to her, peace is an essential value for Slovenians, and Azerbaijani aggression is worrying and condemnable, which prevents constructive dialogue. She noted that Slovenia can bridge Armenia to Central and Western Europe.
The Speaker of the RA NA referred to the deployment of the new European Union observation mission on February 20, 2023, noting that it will contribute to stability and peace in the region. He said that Baku’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric and illegal actions are unacceptable, and Armenia speaks about the need to apply sanctions against Azerbaijan and expects appropriate responses from international partners.
After the extended meeting, the Slovenian colleagues, accompanied by the RA NA Speaker and the Armenia-Slovenia friendship group, toured the RA NA building and visited the meeting hall, where they met the children who went to their country under the program of the Slovenian government.
The RA NA Speaker urged the children to study well and follow the world’s events to imagine a better life. Urška Zupančič advised children to be open-hearted, hospitable, and love people without discrimination.
The symbolic tree planting followed the meeting with the children in the NA yard. The meeting with Alen Simonyan was concluded with a statement for the press. RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and RA President Vahagn Khachaturyan will also receive the Speaker of the National Assembly of Slovenia.
