On October 8th Edward Nalbandian, Foreign Minister of Armenia had a meeting in Brussels with Catherine Ashton, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs.
Welcoming the Foreign Minister of Armenia, the EU High Representative noted that this meeting is a good opportunity for exchanging thoughts about the joint steps to be undertaken for the further development of relations between Armenia and the EU.
Minister Nalbandian underlined that Armenia wishes to move forward the partnership with the EU in all possible directions relying on those achievements and progress which were jointly made in recent years in Armenia-EU relationships.
Edward Nalbandian emphasized that in building relations with the EU, including within the framework of Eastern Partnership, Armenia aspires to have close, deep and extensive partnership at the same time taking into account the participation in other integration processes deriving from Armenia’s interests.
“Armenia has passed an important way of reforms with the support of the EU. We are determined to continue the reform process aimed at promoting democracy, human rights and rule of law, good governance, improvement of judicial system, fight against corruption. In this process we look forward to EU’s continuous support,” emphasized Minister Nalbandian.
The Armenian Foreign Minister noted the importance of EU-Armenia cooperation in mobility underlining that it has already been two years since the signing of the Declaration on “Mobility Partnership” with the EU, while last December the visa facilitation agreement was signed.
Edward Nalbandian said there was a serious potential in the area of sectoral cooperation which includes dozens of dimensions. The Armenian Foreign Minister noted that according to the Protocol to the Cooperation Framework Agreement, signed between Armenia and the EU, Armenia got an opportunity to participate in various EU programs.
High Representative Catherine Ashton noted that the EU wishes to continue the development of comprehensive cooperation with Armenia in all areas, which could be compatible with the decision of Armenia to join the Customs Union.
The preparatory works of Eastern Partnership’s Vilnius Summit were touched upon during the meeting.
In the context of the Armenian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe Edward Nalbandian and Catherine Ashton touched upon the cooperation between the Council of Europe and the European Union.
