NA Vice Speaker: Baku`s new preconditions pose serious obstacles to  peace process 

ArmInfo.  As part of his working visit to Tokyo, RA National Assembly Vice Speaker Hakob Arshakyan met with Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives Koichiro Gemba.

As reported by the NA press service,  the parties discussed the  Armenian-Japanese interparliamentary cooperation, specifically  emphasizing the enhancing of political dialogue and mutual support on  international platforms. The parties also discussed the prospects for  regional stability, security and development.

Hakob Arshakyan presented Armenia's stance to the peace-building  process in the South Caucasus region.  He underscored Armenia's  commitment to the peace agenda stating that the negotiations on the  peace treaty have been completed. The Prime Minister of the Republic  of Armenia, as the Vice Speaker noted, has numerously reiterated his  willingness to sign the agreement, but Azerbaijan's continuous new  artificial preconditions create serious obstacles for advancing the  process.  Hakob Arshakyan said that Armenia is also conducting a  constructive dialogue with Turkey, promoting the Crossroads of Peace  initiative aimed at deepening regional cooperation,  strengthening  Asia-Europe ties, as well as ensuring people's well-being and  sustainable development. The Vice Speaker also raised the issue of  Armenian prisoners of war held in Baku, pointing to the humanitarian  side of the issue. He noted that all prisoners of war and illegally  detained persons must be immediately returned to their homeland in  accordance with international law and humanitarian norms.

Speaking about domestic political developments, Hakob Arshakyan  mentioned that ever since the velvet non-violent revolution of 2018,  Armenia has been advancing democratic reforms. Vice Speaker of the  House of Representatives of Japan Koichiro Gemba reaffirmed Japan's  support for the peace process, emphasizing the importance of   international law, as well as Armenia's sovereignty, independence and  territorial integrity.