The following is an official text released by Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summarizing the work it carried out in 2015.

In 2015 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, based on the foreign policy guidelines and assignments outlined by the President of the Republic of Armenia, continued its activities aimed at the strengthening of the country's external security component, maintenance of external favorable conditions and guaranties for the development of the country, increase of the number of Armenia’s friends abroad, deepening of the engagement in the international organizations and processes, development of cooperation with friendly and partner countries, enhancement of Armenia’s reputation and position at the international arena, preservation of the Armenian cultural heritage, and implementation of initiatives towards the creation of positive agenda and those in line with our interests, protection of the interests of our citizens abroad.

Amid the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian diplomacy continued its efforts towards the international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide, raising of international awareness of the issue, as well as prevention of genocide and crimes against humanity.

During the year of 2015 thousands of events were organized across the world through the efforts of Armenia’s diplomatic representations or their participation.

The year was marked with the adoption of special statements and resolutions recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide by a number of Heads of States, Parliaments, and international organizations.

The Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on April 12 by Pope Francis I and his crucial message, which gained international publicity, had a special importance.

Presidents of the Russian Federation, France, Cyprus, Serbia, high-level delegations of dozens of countries and international organizations participated in the events, organized on April 24 at the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs had its important contribution both in organizing and hosting the Yerevan Global Forum “Against the Crime of Genocide”, held on April 22-23.

On March 27, the United Nations Human Rights Council (Geneva) adopted Armenia-initiated Resolution on Prevention of Genocide, which reaffirms that any attempt to deny or justify the crime of genocide is a serious obstacle for the steps towards prevention. The Resolution recommended to the UN General Assembly to proclaim December 9, the day when back in 1948 Convention on the Prevention of the Crime of Genocide was adopted, as the “International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of This Crime”, which was confirmed by the UN GA, by Armenia’s initiative.

Prestigious global media outlets raised a powerful wave of information and awareness campaign, through thousands of publications and programs on the Armenian Genocide.

In 2015 Armenia continued joint efforts with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs for the exclusively peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

Gross violations of the ceasefire regime along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border and the Line of Contact between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan get a new impetus, also by the use of heavy weaponry, which resulted in numerous casualties, including among civilian population.

Throughout the year, OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs issued targeted statements, calling Azerbaijan not to escalate the situation in the conflict zone, reaffirm its commitment to peaceful settlement of the issue, implement confidence building measures, accept proposals on creation of mechanism to investigate incidents, refrain from criticism of mediatory efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group, the only format of negotiations, and respect their mandate and OSCE’s observer mission, exclude attempts to shift the negotiation process into other formats.

Azerbaijan has ignored the abovementioned calls of the Co-Chairs, pursued a policy of further escalation of the situation, as a result of which progress was not achieved in agreeing on the basic principles of the conflict settlement and implementing the internationally supported proposals of the Co-Chairs on the strengthening of cease-fire regime and confidence building measures.

On December 19, after almost a year, the meeting of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan was held in Bern on OSCE MG Co-Chairs’ mediation. The agenda of the meeting, dictated by the escalation of situation by Azerbaijan, was focused on the reduction of tensions. The meeting yet again emphasized that Azerbaijan’s position contradicts not only to the approaches of Armenia, but also that of the Co-Chairs.

Since January 2015, Armenia has become a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, which derives from Armenia’s strategic interests and provides new opportunities for the economic development of the state by creating favourable conditions within this integration format for free movement of goods, services, capital and labour. According to the October decision of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, Armenia-nominated Tigran Sargsyan will chair the Eurasian Economic Commission Board from February 1, 2016 onwards for four years.

In September 2015, Armenia assumed the chairmanship of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), continuing its role as initiating and active member of the organization. Collective Security Council session was held on December 21, in Moscow, chaired by the Head of the Republic of Armenia. During Armenian chairmanship, meetings of Foreign Ministers of the CSTO member-states’ was held in September in New York, and in December in Belgrade, which were focused on the issues of foreign policy coordination.

Strengthening of allied, strategic cooperation with the Russian Federation has been one of the core issues on Armenia's foreign policy agenda.

Presidents of Armenia and Russia had a dozen of meetings within bilateral and multilateral formats, during which agreements of strategic importance were reached in political, trade and economic, military-technical, scientific and educational areas, energy sector and other fields.

During the year, numerous mutual visits and meetings were held on the level of speakers of parliaments, prime ministers, foreign ministers, heads of sectoral agencies.

Sessions of inter-governmental, inter-parliamentary committees and military-technical cooperation were held; Fourth Armenian-Russian inter-regional conference took place in Yerevan.

Friendly partnership with the United States of America continued to efficiently develop.

RA President’s visit to the US was held on May 5-7. President of the Republic attended ecumenical service dedicated to the Armenian Genocide at Washington National Cathedral, attended also by the Vice-President of the US.

Since January 1, Agreement on visa facilitation between Armenia and the US entered into force. On May 7, Armenia-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement was signed.

Development of relations with the European Union continued to be one of the top issues on the agenda of Armenia’s foreign policy.

President Sargsyan participated in the Fourth session of Eastern Partnership Summit held in May, in Riga. Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council visited Armenia on July 20. Session of Armenia-EU Council was held at the EU Headquarters.

Foreign Minister of Armenia participated in the EU and Eastern Partnership FMs meeting, in Luxembourg (April), meeting of FMs of Eastern Partnership and Visegrad Four in Bratislava (May), Eastern Partnership Informal Ministerial Dialogue in Minsk (June) and in Tbilisi (November).

On December 7, in Brussels, the Foreign Minister of Armenia and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy launched the negotiations on a new Armenia-European Union legal framework agreement.

High-level mutual visits and meetings were held with representatives of the European countries, i.e. France, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Latvia, Serbia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, etc.

Significant steps were undertaken on the strengthening of friendly, mutually beneficial relations with neighboring states - Georgia and Iran.

RA President and Prime Minister visited Georgia; Speakers of the Parliaments paid mutual visits. Nearly two dozens of Armenian-Georgian mutual visits and meetings on different levels were held.

The year was quite active from the perspective of bilateral high-level visits with Iran. Progress was made in trade and economic cooperation. Armenian-Iranian Business-Forums were held in Tehran and Yerevan.

Due to Turkey's destructive position, no progress has been achieved in the Armenian-Turkish relations. On February 16, President Sargsyan withdrew the Armenian-Turkish Protocols from the Parliament, signed back in 2009.

Armenia had a practical participation in the processes within the CIS, as well as undertook steps to develop traditional ties with the CIS member-states.

Armenia continued to extend relations with the countries of Asia Pacific region.

President Serzh Sargsyan paid a state visit to China in March. During the meeting with President Xi Jinping significant agreements on the development of bilateral relations were reached, joint declaration of the Presidents was adopted, dozens of documents were signed. Prime Minister Abrahamyan visited China, during which meeting with Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China was held.

Relations with Japan, India, South Korea, Vietnam, and Indonesia developed.

On January 1, Embassy of Japan was opened in Yerevan. State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan visited Armenia.

First visit of official delegation of Indonesia to Armenia was held in October, headed by Speaker of the Regional Representative Council.

Works towards the development of cooperation with traditionally friendly Arab states were held. Issues on security of the Syrian Armenians, support of the Armenians of Syria, and preservation of the Armenian cultural heritage in SAR were the top issues of the agenda. Armenia continuously raised the issue of violation of rights of ethnic and religious minorities caused by atrocities of extremists in the Middle East, thus outlined the importance of unifying international efforts in fight against terrorism.

Armenia exerted efforts for the development of relations with Latin American states.

Cooperation with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on various programs continued.

Armenia had its contribution in maintaining international peace and security. President of Armenia participated in the Peacekeeping Summit held within the framework of the UN General Assembly. Armenia reaffirmed its commitment to continue its participation in peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Mali.

Armenia continued efficient works within the UN bodies. Great importance was attached to the deepening of engagement in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Council of Europe, Black Sea Economic Cooperation, other international and regional institutions.

In 2015, Armenia was one of the most active members of International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). On October 10-11, 31st session of the Conference of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the OIF was held in Yerevan, with participation of nearly 500 representatives of the OIF member and observer states.

On October 24-25, 3rd International Forum of MGIMO Alumni (Moscow State Institute of International Relations) was held in Yerevan, with participation of over 400 alumni from 40 countries.

Efforts were undertaken towards the development of ties with international economic agencies and financial institutions, deepening of trade and economic cooperation with different states, opening of new markets for the Armenian products, promotion of foreign investments, presentation of Armenia's economic and tourism opportunities. Sessions of inter-governmental committees on economic cooperation with different countries, business forums, and EXPOs of Armenian production were initiated and held.

MFA provided a comprehensive support to the development of inter-parliamentary ties with different countries. Significant importance was attached to the deepening of decentralized cooperation.

According to the decree of President of RA on coordination of the works of state agencies with regard to the implementation of external policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia coordinated the foreign relations of Armenia’s governmental bodies. Major importance was attached to the initiatives of Ministry of Diaspora in strengthening of Armenia-Diaspora relations. Significant support was given to the activity of Ministry of Culture, in presentation of Armenian culture, protection of Armenian cultural heritage abroad and establishment and development of cultural cooperation with different states.

MFA focused on protection of rights of RA citizens abroad, support of citizens in emergency situations. During the year RA MFA Consular Department and Consular Divisions provided corresponding services to nearly 137000 citizens. Amendments were made in legal acts, which have regulated and further facilitated consular services, provided to the citizens. Within its jurisdiction, the MFA continued its support to the Armenians of Syria, Lebanon and Iraq.

Throughout 2015, 89 international agreements and 21 documents were signed, 68 inter-governmental, inter-state and inter-departmental documents were ratified and 42 entered into force. On the initiative of the MFA drafts of nearly 80 legal acts were elaborated and adopted.

During 2015, RA President paid 20 foreign visits. 4 Heads of States visited Armenia. President of National Assembly paid 7 visits, and 7 Speakers of the Parliaments visited Armenia; RA Prime-Minister paid 12 foreign visits. Minister of Foreign Affairs paid 34 visits, 35 Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Heads of international organizations visited Armenia.

Works continued towards raising of international awareness on Armenia's foreign policy and the strengthening of the image of our country. Armenia’s President and Foreign Minister gave dozens of interviews to influential media of the world, held press conferences, delivered lectures in a number of prestigious think tanks and universities.