FOREIGN SECRETARY PATRICIA ESPINOSA MEETS WITH ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER EDWARD NALBANDIAN

Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa met with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, who is on an official visit to Mexico from October 21-23.

Both officials reaffirmed the commitment they made at their meeting during the 67th session of the UN General Assembly to strengthen the political dialogue at the highest level and to deepen the relationship between Mexico and Armenia. Mexico expressed its readiness to enhance the bilateral legal framework to achieve specific objectives.

On the trade front, Foreign Secretary Espinosa expressed interest in exploring opportunities for trade and investment by bringing together the business sectors of both countries.

Foreign Minister Nalbandian reiterated his government's intention to open an embassy in Mexico in order to better address bilateral issues.

In order to expand the dialogue and consultations at various levels and to increase cooperation on assorted issues, the officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding to Establish Political Consultations on Matters of Mutual Interest.

Armenia's Foreign Minister expressed his government's deep displeasure at the decision of the Mexico City officials to put a plaque and map in Tlaxcoaque Square and Paseo de la Reforma that, in its opinion, contain historical errors and regarding the Points of Agreement approved by the Senate and House of Representatives in 2011 about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Foreign Secretary Espinosa offered to convey the position of Armenia to the Mexico City government again and to get more information on the issue to the current legislature.

The two officials discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, with Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa reiterating that the Mexican government remains impartial and neutral, and favors a negotiated settlement that is acceptable to the parties involved as part of the peace process led by the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian later gave a talk on the challenges to Armenia’s foreign policy at the Matías Romero Institute.