RA President: Stable peace to open up huge economic potential for  Armenia

ArmInfo.  Today, the Armenian people live at a turning point for the region: the long-term,  decisive and patient policy of the RA government has finally led to  an important milestone that opens doors to security, stability and  future opportunities for Armenia, as stated by RA President Vahagn  Khachaturyan during a meeting with RA ambassadors accredited in  foreign countries.

As quoted by the presidential press service, president Khachaturyan  stated  that in the history of the new independent Armenia, August 8  can be considered a great diplomatic achievement that changes the  entire picture of the region. It marks a shift from war and military  logic to peace, economic development and prosperity.

"We must note that this achievement is the result of difficult  elections, painstaking diplomacy and the collective will of our  citizens. A stable world will open up enormous economic potential for  Armenia, trade initiatives, new opportunities in energy and  infrastructure sectors, which can turn our region into a center of  cooperation. In an era of changing geopolitical landscapes and rapid  technological progress, our priorities should be aimed at solving  modern problems," the RA President noted. He added that the situation  in the region, as well as in the rest of the world, is changing very  rapidly, and in the context of diversification of foreign policy, it  is necessary to reconsider the priorities of RA ambassadors abroad. 

"These should, first of all, include the presentation of regional  attractiveness, economic, logistical and transit opportunities. In  this regard, I attach great importance to your comprehensive  presentation of the Crossroads of Peace initiative's benefits during  meetings with foreign officials, aimed at enhancing regional economic  and transport connectivity by creating strong links between the  Persian Gulf, the Mediterranean, the Black and Caspian Seas, as well  as with Central Asia. It is necessary to engage our representatives  in international organizations in a more positive agenda, moving from  the previous conflict or military agenda to an economic development  agenda. Diplomatic channels should be used to promote joint economic  projects, investment flows, business ties and trade initiatives that  benefit the region and developing economic incentives for peace. I  attach particular importance to proactive diplomacy and soft power  initiatives. Preparations are currently underway to sign a memorandum  of understanding between the RA Presidential Administration and the  General Directorate of the Presidential Administration of the  Lebanese Republics.

 Armenia will be the first country with which Lebanon will sign such  a memorandum. I propose to initiate the signing of similar  memorandums with other countries. Our priority should be sustainable  innovations that will promote the development of green energy, smart  technologies and environmentally friendly practices. Next year will  be particularly significant, as we will, among other things, host the  Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity  (COP-17) and the 8th Summit of the European Political Community.  Hosting such large-scale, high-level conferences will provide Armenia  with international visibility and significant economic benefits. It  is necessary to support the creation of balanced and constructive  media campaigns that will emphasize the importance of peaceful  coexistence for peoples and highlight success stories of cooperation.  Your role as ambassadors in informing about these events and  obtaining international support is especially important here.  Particular attention should be paid to relations with landlocked  countries that share common interests with us. Countries like ours  understand the challenges of economic development in such conditions,  but we also recognize the importance of expanding interconnectedness,  international trade, participation in regional transit routes and  connections. 

Given the role of the countries in the Middle East, the Asia-Pacific  region and Central Asia in strengthening peace, security in the  region and promoting sustainable development, I place great  importance on further developing an active political dialogue with  them, deepening trade and economic relations and promoting  cooperation in multilateral venues. This region is important in the  context of economic diplomacy. Africa is a relatively new and  promising areas of our foreign policy. In recent years, we have been  striving to intensify relations with African countries, and have  already  taken certain steps in this direction. The intensification  of relations with the countries of the Latin American region in  recent years demonstrates Armenia's desire to diversify the geography  of relations with other countries and expand the scope of  cooperation. Geographical remoteness today should no longer be an  obstacle to strengthening these relations" Presiden Khachaturyan  concluded.