Armenia's alignment with EU strengthens security throughout South Caucasus - Braze

RIGA - Armenia's efforts to align with the European Union (EU) strengthen the security of the entire South Caucasus and contribute to the region's growth and connectivity, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze (New Unity) said at the Yerevan Dialogue Forum.

Braze's spokesman Toms Sadovskis informed LETA that yesterday and today, during her working visit to Yerevan, Armenia, Braze met with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and High-Tech Industry Minister Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, as well as participated in the international Yerevan Dialogue Forum.

The Latvian minister also met with representatives of Armenian civil society.

During her talks Mirzoyan, the sides discussed current issues in bilateral relations, as well as opportunities to strengthen economic cooperation and develop the potential for mutual connectivity.

Braze welcomed the positive dynamics in EU-Armenia relations, as demonstrated by the first EU-Armenia Summit held in Yerevan on May 5 this year.

The parties discussed the progress of Armenia's reforms and modernization, as well as its alignment with the EU. Braze expressed Latvia’s readiness to continue supporting these efforts, drawing on Latvia's accumulated experience and expertise.

The officials discussed current issues on the regional and international agenda, including the situation in the Middle East, as well as cooperation between the two countries in international organizations, including the UN.

The ministers also discussed the progress of the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process. Braze welcomed the positive developments in the Armenia-Azerbaijan dialogue and expressed hope that a peace treaty between the two sides would soon be signed and ratified.

While discussing support for Ukraine, Braze expressed gratitude for Armenia's humanitarian aid to Ukraine and emphasized the importance of closer cooperation with the EU in preventing sanctions evasion in order to limit support for Russia's war of aggression.

During a meeting with the Armenian minister for high-tech industry, Braze briefed him on Latvia's achievements and opportunities for cooperation in the fields of communication technologies and digitalization. The parties noted the sector's crucial role in the successful modernization and development of their countries and agreed to strengthen cooperation both in sharing best practices in digitalization and in fostering collaboration among private-sector representatives in the ICT field.

Speaking at the international Yerevan Dialogue Forum, Braze emphasized the need to strengthen European security, including through support for Ukraine. The minister highlighted the strategic importance of EU enlargement policy and expressed hope for the successful progress of Ukraine and Moldova's EU accession process. The minister also expressed support for Armenia's efforts to move closer to the EU, which strengthen security throughout the South Caucasus and promote the region's growth and connectivity.