Within the framework of the official visit of Brazil on March 20, RA Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan performed at the Diplomatic Institute of Rio BRANCO. With his contribution to the discussions on the role and world issues.
Thank you for this opportunity to discuss the deepening ties between the Republic of Armenia and the Brazil's Federal Republic, to address our common values and promising future of partnership, as well as to identify the role that our two countries can have a multilateral cooperation and sustainable development. In this context, it is especially pleased to note that the memorandum of understanding between the Diplomatic Institute of the Diplomatic School of Rio Bryco, which was signed yesterday by my minister Vierira.
Extensive involvement in South America
Armenia's strategic connection with South America, where Brazil is one of our main partners, is an important component of our foreign policy. In 2024 alone, we activated cooperation with Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico and Peru, which led to high-level visits and political consultations. Last year we opened a resident embassy in Montevideo, at the same time we accredited ambassadors to South America and the Caribbean. These steps testify to our wider and active presence
Partnership based on history and total values
Our diplomatic relations took place in 1991, when Brazil became one of the first Latin American countries that recognized Armenia's independence. This important step was followed by Brazil in 2006 the opening of the First South American Resident Embassy in Yerevan, which was mutually reciprocated by Armenia at the opening of our resident embassy in Brazil.
During these 34 years, our relations have developed, the roots of our ties between the Armenian community of political dialogue, woven Brazil from the end of the 19th century. This community, which currently counts in Brazil. From trade to academic sector, from culture to public service, Brazilian Armenians have always stood out for their success. The merger of Armenian endurance and Brazilian viability is a live bridge between Yerevan and Brazil. It is noteworthy that Armenians are also widely represented in the Brazil diplomatic service. About ten Brazilian ambassadors, existing or former, have Armenian roots. Of course, our partnership is based on general democratic values.
Armenia and Brazil, having strong civil society, protect freedom, human rights and the rule of law, which have been tested and reaffirmed to our countries. The 2018 velvet revolution of Armenia, the peaceful revolution, which restored the democratic management system, is in line with Brazil's victory over dictatorship. This general commitment to democracy is a driving force for our political dialogue, which is strengthened by high-level regular contacts, through which officials are cooperating on different continents, mutual trust, understanding and cooperation in various fields. The parliamentary friendship groups in the National Assembly of Armenia strengthen this connection, contributing to the stronger cooperation between our peoples. At the same time, Brazil's active participation in the American Competitiveness Exchange of the United States Competitiveness in Armenia contributed to the deepening of our economic ties. These platforms emphasize the important role of Brazil in promoting international dialogue, which is in line with the Mission of the Institute of Rio Brando.
Cultural ties and general interests
And on the diplomacy, the culture is weaving an inviolable connection between us. Armenians have long admired Brazil's art, with the rhythms of his samba, the great colors of carnaval and literature, such as Mashadu de Asnis. In turn, Armenian traditions, our ancient manuscripts, exciting melodies and unbreakable spirit, found an evaluative audience here. One of the most significant moments was in 2024 when the Armenian Embassy in Brazil organized a concert dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Armenia's music giant Aram Khachaturian. Khachatryan's close ties with Klaudio Santoro, who was one of Brazil's composing greatness, testifies to the natural spiritual intimacy between our peoples. In the 1990s, early 2000s, and to date, Armenian children and adults gather around TVs, supporting Brazil's golden teams with enthusiasm. Each of the next World Cup has stamped Brazil in our common imagination memory, making this name of joy and mastery synonymous. This universal zeal does not recognize borders, inflaming discussions in both Yerevan cafes and on the streets of Rio. This reminds us that our connections are not only institutional but also deeply human.
Economic opportunities and conjugations
Brazil is one of the largest economies in the world, while Armenia has demonstrated significant economic growth in recent years. There is a significant potential for expanding our bilateral trade and mutual interest. Ensuring communication routes is an important component for trade development. We support initiatives that contribute to the expansion of regional and intercontinental transport ties. Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, it creates unique opportunities for logistics and commercial cooperation.
In this context, cooperation between "Enterprise Armenia" and "Apex Brazil" is a promising step towards deepening our economic cooperation. Yesterday with my partner Vierira, we had the opportunity to discuss concrete steps to intensify economic cooperation between Armenia and Brazil in these key areas.
Cooperation on global platforms and common challenges
Armenia and Brazil are active and audible players on the multilateral platforms, including the United Nations, the United States and other international organizations. Together we have supported each other's candidacies and initiatives, demonstrating a general commitment to peace, democracy and sustainable development on international platforms. Brazil's membership in the UN Security Council (2022-2023) was a testament to the country's global leadership, and Armenia is ready to work closely with Brazil's future multilateral efforts. Armenia and Brazil accept the urgent need for climate change and loss of biodiversity. We are looking forward to close cooperation within the framework of climate change COP30, which will take place in Bellem in 2025, and within the framework of the COP17 of Biodiversity, which will host in 2026. These platforms provide important opportunities to exchange experience, implement a sustainable development policy and make the voice of developing countries. The Armenian and Brazil share the overall vision of a fairer and inclusive world order. We welcome the creation of a global bloc of hunger and poverty, and it was an honor for us to join this initiative as a founding member.
Our commitment to eliminate poverty is in line with the Leadership of Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture. This is ready to cooperate with Brazil within the framework of global governance reform. The global decision-making system should develop to reflect modern realities, ensuring a broader representation and a more effective approach to the solution of global challenges. It is also committed to the discussion in the global southern format.
The changing dynamics of international relations require closer cooperation between developing economies, and we are convinced that Armenia and Brazil can make joint efforts to develop sustainable development, including multilateral decision-making.
Regional relations, vision of Armenia's peace and partnership
Ladies and gentlemen, today's world presents a more complex geopolitical landscape, which is formed by the influence of conflict, human rights, humanitarian emergency, environmental challenges and supply challenge. All this gives new levels to international relations, in which we need to orient themselves. However, despite these enormous challenges and permanent security threats, Armenia is firmly adhered to peace and prosperity in the South Caucasus.
We are convinced that peace has no alternative. With this fundamental perception, Armenia is actively involved in peace with Azerbaijan. Today, we are more than ever, which will be close to the peace agreement, which will establish official interstate relations based on the obligations of sovereignty, territorial integrity, intensity of the borders. Agree on the last version of the draft peace agreement, Armenia paved the way for the finalization of the text.
The peace treaty is now agreed and ready to sign. The Republic of Armenia has a political will to promptly initiate consultations with Azerbaijan as soon as possible, as well as other practical details. This declaration reaffirmed that at the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the existing borders of the Armenian and Azerbaijani Social Socialist republics became international borders of the relevant independent states. To date, we have successfully demarcated a further progress, contributing to regional stability. These proposals will create an opportunity for both Azerbaijan and Armenia to use each other's railway networks, promoting sustainable economic cooperation.
The project with this vision aims to open regional infrastructure, roads, railways, pipelines, cables and electric networks based on basic principles of sovereignty, competence, equality and reciprocity. Many countries, both in our direct region and abroad, have a vital connection with their own transport and logistics, emphasizing that we have achieved that aggressive rhetoric continues, which is accompanied by the Azerbaijani side on false accusations of the recent days of ceasefire violations.
I would like to emphasize that these accusations are absolutely unfounded, as evidenced by EU observers, which are located along our state border with Azerbaijan. Armenia has no reason to violate the ceasefire and has consistently made a mechanism of investigating such allegations, which Azerbaijan still needs to respond. In addition, Armenia also presented constructive initiatives on mutual control of weapons and overwheat measures.
Unfortunately, Azerbaijan has not responded to these proposals for peace Armenia and Azerbaijan must consistently promote mutual trust and dialogue. In this process, the settlement of unresolved humanitarian issues, including the release of Armenian prisoners of war, as well as the time of the missing and violent disappearance. He is a process of normalization of relations with Turkey, which we consider decisive regional peace and long-term stability.
Some tangible progress has already been made with direct flights and elimination of air freight restrictions. Armenia also graduated with Turkey's construction and technical preparations with Turkey, and now it is completely under the control of the Armenian border guard service. In recent years, this checkpoint has already been opened in some cases, for humanitarian purposes. High-level dialogue continues, including meetings between the Prime Minister of Armenia and the Turkish President with the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
We are convinced that the establishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of the borders will provide significant opportunities for both our countries and broader region. Referring to our broader regional relations, I must emphasize our deep and continuous developing partnership with Georgia and Iran. In 2024, we officially raised our partnership with Georgia to the strategic level, reflecting our ties, before that, the strong nature of it.
Our cooperation with Iran continues to develop dynamically. The main infrastructure projects emphasize our determination to improve the regional interconnection. It is very important for us to support Iran's territorial integrity and the immunity of the borders. Armenia also actively strengthens its strategic relations with the United States and the European Union.
Two months ago, we signed a comprehensive charter of strategic partnership with the United States, which is a historic important historical event for our cooperation. Relationships continue to develop during the new US administration, which is a continuous, constructive involvement of high-ranking officials. We are currently negotiating the agenda of the new and ambitious partnership, which reflects the positive dynamics in our relations. After completing it, it will deter Armenia more closely to the EU and the wider European community, fully in line with the aspirations of the people of Armenia.
The EU's civil mission in Armenia, which is located on our border by 2027, plays a key stabilizing role in border areas, effectively reducing the risks of escalation. In addition, the EU's decision to support the European Peace Process in July 2024 and initiated negotiations on the visa liberalization process, significant progress in our developing partnership.
We consistently deepen cooperation with India, China and other global partners. Before coming here, I visited New Delhi, where we discussed the possibilities of implementing a huge potential for further strengthening strategic ties between Armenia and India. Being a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, we have good economic cooperation with Russia and Central Asia.
In fact, Armenia pursues a foreign policy, which is strategically balanced, and actively involved, which seeks to maintain regional stability, while expanding the opportunities for our country and a broader region. Our vision is clear and consistent, peaceful, connected and prosperously integrated into global circles.
Conclusion
The multi-layered partnership between Armenia and Brazil is built on a solid foundation of historical ties, cultural and democratic principles.
Our countries are united in peace, stability and constructive global cooperation. While sailing through the complex challenges of the 21st century, I am deeply convinced that our relations will continue to bloom, creating innovative opportunities for diplomacy, trade, technology, environmental stability and many other cooperation.
Obrigadu. Thank you. "
