Armenia attaches great importance to strengthening relations with  African countries - RA President

ArmInfo.Armenia attaches great importance to strengthening relations with African countries and seeks  to develop cooperation with the region in the  economic, trade, cultural, and educational spheres, as stated by RA  President Vahagn Khachaturyan during his address at the 7th session  of the European Corporate Council.

According to his words, as quoted by the presidential press service,  despite the geographical remoteness, Armenia and African countries  are united by sustainable development, the formation of peaceful and  inclusive societies, ensuring access to justice, and several other  common goals. 

"While every sector-be it education, the environment, healthcare, the  economy, energy, or agriculture-is of key importance for sustainable  development, it must be recognized that in the absence of peace, we  cannot talk about progress and prosperity. Peace is the foundation  upon which development is built and societies thrive. After decades  of conflict, Armenia has reshaped its approaches based on the  imperative of peace. Only such a vision can foster growth,  development, and lift people out of poverty. It ensures the  strengthening of democracy and empowers citizens. It strengthens  freedom, justice, equality, and security," Khachaturyan noted.

He recalled that about a month ago, the leaders of Armenia,  Azerbaijan, and the United States signed in Washington the Agreement  on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between  Armenia and Azerbaijan and adopted a trilateral declaration. This  important achievement, as the RA President noted, was made possible  thanks to the personal involvement of President Trump and the  consistent efforts of his administration, which brought an end to the  thirty-year conflict. "As the great son of Africa, Nelson Mandela,  said, 'Everything seems impossible until it's done.' After creating  conditions conducive to peace, the priority of Armenia's leadership  is to build a modern, competitive, economically developed, and  politically stable state. Our greatest asset is an educated,  hardworking, and law-abiding society. I prioritize education because  I am convinced that education is the key to overcoming poverty,  ensuring progress, and prosperity. Nelson Mandela's words, 'Education  is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world,' best  express the value and power of education," Khachaturyan said.

He also noted that Armenia has been selected to host the 17th  Conference on Biological Diversity (COP- 17), to be held in Yerevan  in October 2026. "I look forward to meeting you and your  distinguished delegations in Armenia." Armenia is ready to expand  cooperation with its African partners, taking into account our shared  interests and common challenges in  biodiversity. We also look  forward to working with our international partners to revive global  environmental processes. I would also like to reaffirm Armenia's  willingness to raise the issues of vulnerable regions, promote  inclusive cooperation, and mobilize international financial resources  within the framework of its presidency of the COP-17 Conference.   Armenia stands for and supports the creation of strong international  mechanisms aimed at preventing and eradicating crimes against  humanity. We strongly believe that human rights violations must  receive an equal and adequate response in all conflicts. Today, we  are witnessing a widespread retreat from democratic values,  accompanied by ongoing attacks on the foundations of democratic  institutions. We must unite our efforts to resist such pressure and  threats and steadfastly adhere to the rules  we want to uphold," the  RA President concluded.