ArmInfo. . Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan did not rule out the possibility of discussing contacts between Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians in an expanded format with his Azerbaijani counterpart.
In a conversation with reporters on December 10, the speaker noted that the Armenian side is trying to utilize all international platforms for contacts. "My Azerbaijani counterpart also positively evaluates the logic of such contacts. Although there have been no discussions yet, I assume that further contacts between me and the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament will take place within the framework of the Inter- Parliamentary Union conference to be held in Istanbul. We will also continue to discuss the logic of contacts between us and our MPs in an expanded format, outside of the international context, based on our decision," Simonyan said.
He pointed out the enormous mistrust between the parties, which is due to the long-standing conflict. Simonyan noted that this mistrust must be overcome gradually. In any case, Yerevan is ready for trade and economic cooperation with Baku. In this context, Simonyan emphasized the importance of the first deliveries of Azerbaijani petroleum products to Armenia. The speaker expressed confidence that the parties will not limit themselves to petroleum products. According to him, Yerevan must also allow Baku to export its goods to Nakhchivan and Turkey through Armenian territory. Discussions with Azerbaijan on this matter are ongoing, and Simonyan did not rule out the possibility of such transit in the near future. In response to a question about the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's statement on the document on cooperation between Armenia and the EU, the speaker urged to wait for a comment from the Armenian Foreign Ministry.
