visited Peru with the aim of deepening bilateral relations and strengthening mutual trade, while his country consolidates peace with its neighbors.
Armenia and Peru both have great cultural heritage to showcase to the world. How can tourism between the two countries be enhanced?
One of the key actions is the elimination of visas. In line with President Dina Boluarte, it is feasible to allow visits from ordinary citizens, officials, and diplomats without requiring authorization to enter the country. We already have similar agreements with Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay, and we are confident that we will reach a similar agreement with Peru. This would encourage visits from tourists and business circles.
Currently, to travel to Peru, we must go to its embassy in Moscow. Likewise, Peruvians who wish to visit my country must obtain a visa from our diplomatic office in Argentina.
According to trade statistics, both countries still have significant room to expand the exchange of goods. What products is Armenia interested in importing from Peru?
Armenia has a positive trade balance because we export between US$5 million and US$7 million worth of metallurgical materials, while Peru sells us food, spices, and other products totaling US$3 million to US$4 million. However, Peru has enormous potential to sell mining and agricultural products. We can also collaborate in high technology, which currently accounts for 7% to 8% of my nation’s GDP.
What is needed for a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan to be signed?
We are at a decisive stage of the peace agreement, where 15 out of 17 points have already been settled, and two pending. We are convinced that at the negotiating table, we can reach a successful outcome. Our stance is clear: we want peace in our region, and we engage in dialogue to achieve that goal.
We seek a swift agreement because, along with other countries in the region, we want to interconnect through railways, highways, gas pipelines, oil pipelines, and power lines. That is why we need to open the borders. The "Crossroads of Peace" project, which we want to present to the international community, aims to develop the region and, in doing so, consolidate peace.
How can the international community help promote the signing of these agreements?
The international community must trust the agreements reached by both parties and support the signing of this document, as we have already made positive progress for the region.
This is the case of the delimitation of 12.7 kilometers of border after 30 years of war, a task that was not so easy. The positive aspect is that both sides showed political will, which can serve as an incentive to reach an agreement on the rest of the border and establish peace.
The Armenian Parliament has approved a proposal to request the country's accession to the European Union, and Armenia and the United States have signed a security agreement. Do these actions signify a shift towards closer ties with Western nations?
This shift toward the European Union and its values is not new. We must consider the foundations of democracy. Since 1991, we have adhered to the principles outlined in our Constitution, which establishes that power belongs to the people. This is the principle that governs our country.
In recent years, our relationship with the European Union has intensified, as it seeks to integrate Armenia, and we are also taking steps toward that goal. This measure is conditioned by our country’s security concerns. Additionally, the government of U.S. President Joe Biden signed a strategic agreement outlining military protection measures.
Recent Relations
Since its independence in 1992, the only two official visits from Armenia to Peru were by Foreign Affairs Minister Edward Nalbandian in 2014 and, last year, by Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan.
The Armenian President noted that the Forum of Ancient Civilizations exists within the United Nations, with Peru as one of its founding members and Armenia as one of its participants. It is expected to become a fully established organization starting in 2030.
(END) DOP/FVT/JMP/MVB