Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received the delegation headed by Gunar Wiegand, Director for Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, Regional Cooperation and OSCE at the European External Action Service, the chief negotiator of the European side at the Armenia-EU Association Agreement talks.
Greeting the guests, Minister Nalbandian noted that the negotiations on the Association Agreement that were launched in July 2010 are entering a final stage thinks to bilateral efforts. The talks on the creation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area are also proceeding effectively.
Minister Nalbandian said the Armenian authorities have undertaken large-scale reforms aimed at reinforcement of democratic institutions and rule of law, protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, improvement of the electoral processes and legislature and consolidation of the role of the civil society.
The interlocutors stressed the common objective of concluding the Association Agreement before the Vilnius summit in November 2013.
Edward Nalbandian and Gunar Wiegand attached importance to the progress registered in the mobility of citizens between Armenia and the European Union, particularly the visa facilitation agreements signed in December 2012, which will soon be ratified and will enter into force.
Reference was made to the discussions on the formation of the Association agenda, which will come to replace the Action Plan of the European Neighborhood Policy.
The 12th plenary sitting on the Association Agreement started at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today; Minister Edward Nalbandian offered opening remarks. It was followed by a working sitting co-chaired by Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan.
