Aoun Meets Senior Armenian Officials, Says Lebanon Adheres to its Border

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President Michel Aoun held talks on Thursday with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan at the presidential palace in Yerevan, Aoun's media office said.

A closed door meeting was first held between the two men followed by a meeting between the Lebanese and Armenian delegations, the media office added.

“Lebanon adheres to its land and maritime border and to its right to defend it by all legitimate means. We count on our international friendships to help us counter the (Israeli) threats,” said Aoun in a joint press conference with Sargsyan.

Aoun said he had "constructive" talks with his Armenian counterpart and announced the signing of several agreements “that serve the interests of both Lebanon and Armenia.”

On the crisis of Syrian refugees, Aoun said both have stressed “the need to work towards reaching an international agreement to secure their return to safe areas in their country.”

President Aoun later met with the Armenian Parliament Speaker Ara Babloyan and Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan.

“President Aoun's visit will open the door to more investments between Lebanon and Armenia,” said Karapetyan.

Aoun has however assured that Lebanon is willing to strengthen economic relations with Armenia saying he will “coordinate with the Lebanese PM (Saad Hariri) to complete cooperation agreements during Karapetyan's visit to Lebanon on March 12 and 13.”

Aoun began an official visit to Armenia on Wednesday following a similar visit to Iraq.

He began his talks in Yerevan by meeting Catholicos Karekin II -- the Catholicos of All Armenians and the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

He also visited the Armenian Genocide memorial complex and wrote a statement in its visitors' book.

In the evening, Aoun met with the Lebanese expat community in Armenia.

The president's visit to Armenia follows a trip to Iraq in which he met with President Fuad Massum and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

SourceNaharnet
Comments 2
Missing un520 22 February 2018, 13:13

So please, demarcate the border with Syria along the Golan Heights.

Thumb galaxy 22 February 2018, 16:14

He also discussed the Syrian refugees in Armenia;)!