Upon arriving in Ljubljana on March 9, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia Karl Erjavec and the two discussed propsects for greater bilateral relations between the two nations.

Welcoming the foreign minister of Armenia, Karl Erjavec expressed the hope that Edward Nalbandian's visit would bring new impetus to the development of bilateral relations.

Expressing his thanks for the invitation to visit Slovenia, Foreign Minister Nalbandian said that Armenia is willing to deepen cooperation in different areas with Slovenia, and that it is the main message of his visit.

Edward Nalbandian and Karl Erjavec agreed on exerting further efforts to activate political dialogue, enhance interaction within international organizations, holding of periodic consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, expansion of legal framework and development of trade and economic cooperation.

Attaching importance to the activation of inter-parliamentary ties, the sides agreed upon suggesting to the parliaments of both states to establish friendship groups. Activation of cultural exchanges, cooperation in the spheres of science and education and establishment of decentralized cooperation were on the agenda of the meeting of Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Slovenia.

Ministers touched upon Armenia-European Union cooperation. In this context Foreign Minister Nalbandian reaffirmed Armenia's readiness, based on reached achievements over the recent years, to deepen comprehensive cooperation in all possible areas, taking into account Armenia's obligations in other international, integration frameworks.

The Foreign Minister of Armenia touched upon the commemoration events on the occasion of Centennial of the Armenian Genocide to be held in Armenia and abroad.

Minister Nalbandian presented to Minister Erjavec the latest developments in the process of peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, efforts exerted by Armenia and OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs towards the resolution of the Azerbaijani-Karabakhi conflict. In this context, Deputy Prime Minister of Slovenia reaffirmed his state's unconditional support to the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs' proposals.

The sides exchanged thoughts on a range of pressing international and regional issues, including the Ukrainian crisis, developments in the Middle East and Iran's nuclear program.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Edward Nalbandian invited his counterpart to pay a visit to Yerevan. The ministerial meeting was followed by a joint press conference. On the same day Edward Nalbandian delivered an extended speech on the foreign policy of Armenia at the University of Ljubljana.

Photo (from left): Edward Nalbandian, Karl Erjavec