On Thursday evening, Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian arrived in New Zealand for an official visit.

From the airport the Armenian FM headed for a meeting with his New Zealand counterpart Murray McCully.

Murray McCully welcomed the Armenian FM and thanked him for accepting his invitation. Minister Edward Nalbandian’s visit is evidence of Armenia’s willingness to upgrade its relations with New Zealand, he said.

The Armenian FM thanked Mr Murray McCully for the invitation. His first visit to New Zealand in the year of the 20th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations is supposed to raise the level of bilateral ties in various areas.

With a view to developing bilateral relations, the sides reached an arrangement about reciprocal accreditation of ambassadors, development of bilateral cooperation within international agencies, as well as on bilateral consultations.

The sides also discussed bilateral economic cooperation. Renewable energy, high technologies and agriculture are among promising areas of cooperation.

Edward Nalbandian and Murray McCully thoroughly discussed topical issues on the international agenda.

The Armenian FM informed his New Zealand counterpart of Armenia’s policy of ensuring regional security. He pointed out New Zealand’s balance stance on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Minister Edward Nalbandian invited Mr Murray McCully to visit Yerevan to ensure consistent implementation of bilateral agreements.
The Armenian FM also visited the Auckland War Memorial Museum and laid a wreath at the memorial to World War II victims.

On Friday, the Armenian FM held a meeting with Hon Dr Lockwood Smith, Speaker of the House of Representatives. The sides discussed establishment of ties between the two parliaments, formation of friendship groups.

Dr Lockwood Smith presented the implementation of reforms that ensured New Zealand’s economic growth.

The Armenian FM also visited the Supreme Court of New Zealand and held a meeting with Chief Justice Dame Sian Seerpoohi Elias.
The sides exchanged views on the development of bilateral cooperation and on the Armenian community’s role in this process.

Minister Edward Nalbandian is also held a meeting with representatives of the local Armenian community and presented Armenia’s foreign policy, steps to strengthen Armenia-Diaspora ties, aims and results of his visit to New Zealand.

The sides also discussed the possibility of forming an Armenia-New Zealand friendship union.