Armenia attaches particular importance to establishing diplomatic  relations with Saudi Arabia - Mirzoyan

ArmInfo. Armenia attaches particular importance to establishing diplomatic relations with Saudi  Arabia. This was stated on December 6 during the government hour in the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, answering  a question from Mariam Poghosyan, a MP from the ruling "Civil Contract" faction, about the expectations of the Armenian side from this fact.

Mirzoyan noted that the establishment of diplomatic relations with  Saudi Arabia is part of the overall task of establishing good  neighborly relations with all countries of the Arab world, with each  of which there are numerous untapped opportunities. "Moreover, it is  regrettable that until recently there were no diplomatic relations  with the SA, despite the efforts made in this direction over the past  30 years," Mirzoyan said, noting that since his appointment as head  of the Foreign Ministry, he has given this issue priority importance.  The minister noted that before the establishment of diplomatic  relations, he had two meetings with the head of the Ministry of  Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, there were telephone conversations  and meetings at various international platforms.

In response, the MP, citing Azerbaijani sources, asked about  mediation efforts in this matter by Lebanon, France and the United  States.

Mirzoyan noted that he had heard similar rumors, which turned out to  be greatly exaggerated. "I declare with full responsibility that we  did not resort to the mediation efforts of any state," said the head  of the RA Foreign Ministry.

On November 25, the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued  a protocol  on the establishment of diplomatic relations was signed between the  Republic of Armenia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  The protocol  was signed in Abu Dhabi by the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia  to the UAE, Karen Grigoryan, and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of  Saudi Arabia to the UAE, Sultan bin Abdullah Al-Angari.  The two  countries established diplomatic relations guided by the intention to  strengthen bilateral relations and expand the scope of cooperation as  well as to support international security and peace.  The document on  the establishment of diplomatic relations indicates both countries'  desire "to consolidate the bonds of fruitful cooperation between the  two countries in the fields of politics, economy, technology,  development, trade and culture, and to embody the two countries'  aspirations towards establishing the best relations and cordial  connections between them in various fields".