The Foreign Ministry published Ararat Mirzoyan's speech at the 49th session of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
"Your Excellencies,
Mr. Secretary General,
Ladies and gentlemen,
As Acting President, I warmly welcome you to the 49th session of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the CSTO.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the International Permanent Secretariat of the CSTO under the able leadership of Lazar Comanescu for their continuous support to Armenia during our presidency.
During the past semester, under the motto of the Armenian Presidency, "Engagement, External Cooperation, Resilience", we have made all possible efforts to emphasize the importance of the effective implementation of the main statutory goals of the CSTO. In the face of continuous challenges, we have spared no effort to promote constructive and inclusive dialogue and strengthen the CSTO. economic and cultural ties between the countries of the region.
We have supported open political dialogue and the exchange of best practices as a means of advancing mutually beneficial regional cooperation for the sake of the sustainable development of CSTO member states and the improvement of the living conditions of their populations.
During this period, about thirty meetings of auxiliary bodies were convened. As the coordinating country of the CSTO Culture and Information and Communication Technology Working Groups, as well as the upcoming coordinator of the CSTO Tourism Cooperation Working Group, Armenia has consistently promoted result-oriented cooperation among member states in these areas. Despite all the challenges and differences that may exist among the CSTO member states, we have sought to promote active dialogue in almost all areas of our common interests.
We should also record a number of achievements that are important for the activity of this organization.
- The member states of the CSTOAP managed to reach an agreement on the organization's budget for the 2025 fiscal year,
- in addition to the 2025 budget of the National Academy of Social Sciences and Humanities, an agreement was reached on the amendment of the Staff Regulations,
- The Steering Committee of the Program Development Fund will study a new program in the coming period, strengthening the program activities of the CSIRT.
- The Troika of the State Council of the Republic of Moldova continued to work and coordinate the current and future activities of the State Council of the State Council of the Republic of Moldova.
Considering the complex geopolitical situation in which the SPC operates, these are landmarks that should not be ignored.
In the context of possible reforms of the CSTO, the member states can also discuss the issue of extending the term of the presidency from six months to one full year. In the current conditions, it will be sufficient to convene a meeting of the Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers once a year, with more practical and result-oriented discussions.
Dear colleagues,
Any presidency can progress as fast as all member states or one of them in the given structure. The CSTO region has been greatly affected by the ongoing war. as the chairman, he immediately felt its influence. there have been times when we have faced difficulties even in establishing the agenda of the meetings. It is clear that the CSTO region needs peace, which should at least be manifested by the absence of active hostilities, lasting ceasefires and active efforts to de-escalate tensions.
The Government of Armenia is determined to continue its efforts to achieve the desired goals of peace, security, stability and cooperation. Continuous and sincere dialogue, restoration of trade and economic ties, as well as ensuring inclusiveness in regional initiatives and projects are the main prerequisites for overcoming the existing contradictions and for greater cooperation between our countries. to achieve good cooperation, development and prosperity.
Against the backdrop of a fragile geopolitical situation, we need more than ever to improve economic connectivity, which will allow us to establish pragmatic trade arrangements based on common interests in areas such as energy, transport and trade.
Guided by the unequivocal belief that regional dialogue is the key to establishing mutually beneficial cooperation, the Government of Armenia came up with the "Crossroads of Peace" initiative. Guided by the vision of inclusiveness, fair use of regional infrastructure, as well as the desire to build a prosperous future for all stakeholders, this project aims to develop communication between the countries of the region, based on full respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as applying principles of equality and reciprocity.
Most likely, you are aware of the recent discussions in our immediate neighborhood. Armenia and Turkey have already agreed to jointly assess the technical requirements for crossing the border with the Gyumri-Kars railway. At the same time, we have offered Azerbaijan ways to restart the railway infrastructure, simplify border crossing and customs procedures, and provide some additional security mechanisms.
The "Crossroads of Peace" project, which strongly emphasizes building mutual trust and possible expansion of connectivity as a basis for peace, has the potential to promote regional cooperation in many directions. It can effectively connect the Gulf, Black and Caspian seas, thus significantly contributing to the integration of our region into global transport chains and It has already received positive feedback from many international partners, and we will continue our efforts to: to provide further support for the implementation of the project.
Dear colleagues,
Open borders, unrestricted, free and inclusive regional economic cooperation are the key goals of this organization. Armenia is committed to constructive and effective cooperation within the framework of the CSTO to advance the agenda of peace and stability in the Black Sea region and beyond.
We wish success to Azerbaijan as the next chairman.
Thank you."
