ArmInfo.Today in Brussels, under the chairmanship of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, the first meeting of the Armenia-EU Partnership Council was held. The press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry told ArmInfo.
The Council is the supreme body created under the comprehensive and expanded partnership agreement (CEPA) and is called upon to monitor the implementation of the agreement and discuss issues of mutual interest.
"Armenia and the EU have expressed readiness to expand and deepen cooperation in the framework of this new document and the Eastern Partnership and the revised neighborhood policy." The Partnership Council welcomed the peaceful nature of the protests that took place in Armenia in the recent period and led to a democratic change of government within the framework of the Constitution. highly appreciated the general restraint shown on all sides and called on all interested political forces, including civil society, to a continuous and inclusive dialogue," the RA MFA said.
The EU welcomed the clear commitment of the Armenian government to the fight against corruption and the steps taken in this direction.
"The EU confirmed its support for reforms, including in the form of technical and financial assistance aimed at strengthening democracy, the rule of law, the protection of human rights, as well as increasing prosperity and socio-economic growth in Armenia." The Partnership Council emphasized the importance of amending the Election Code RA, is in tune with the proposals of the OSCE/ODIHR and with the aim of strengthening confidence in the electoral processes, the EU also expressed its readiness to assist Armenia in preparing for and monitoring elections," RA MFA report and stresses that the Partnership Council also noted the importance of having an independent judiciary in ensuring the rule of law, and an important precondition for economic and social development.
The Council also stressed the need for progress on the speedy development of the new Criminal Code and the new Code of Criminal Procedure, as well as the importance of comprehensive anti-corruption legislation.
In addition, the Council stressed the need for the joint implementation of the provisions of the framework agreement on trade in order to ensure a stable, business-friendly and predictable environment for trade in Armenia, including the full and timely implementation of provisions on protection of geographical position. The Partnership Council also stressed the importance of having competent management in the tax sphere in accordance with business taxation rules. "In the energy sphere, the Partnership Council pointed to the importance of energy security, energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and nuclear safety in accordance with the comprehensive and expanded partnership agreement and signed on February 21 this year by the agreement on the priorities of the Armenia-EU partnership. a comprehensive air transport agreement between Armenia and the EU, scheduled for November 24, 2017, and that will improve market accessibility and bu In addition, in meeting all the criteria, Armenia expressed its readiness to start a dialogue on the liberalization of the visa regime, the Partnership Council also recalled that the priorities of the Armenia-EU partnership will shape the priorities of the EU's assistance to the Armenian side. 160 million euros will be allocated for the period from 2017 to 2021. The Partnership Council stressed the need to maximize the use of these resources for the implementation of the agreement on expanded partnership and visible and tangible improvement in living conditions of citizens. The Partnership Council took note of the report on the policy of the European Partnership countries on Armenia, published on June 6, and noted the importance of the progress achieved in the relations between the EU and Armenia after the meeting of the Armenia-EU Cooperation Council in May 2017. The Partnership Council decided that subsequent reports will be called "Partnership Reports", and in which the main attention will be paid to the implementation of the framework agreement, "the Armenian Foreign Ministry said.
The department notes that in addition to bilateral relations within CEPA, the Partnership Council emphasized Armenia's active participation in the Eastern Partnership. Armenia, in turn, reaffirmed its commitment to play an important, dynamic and constructive role within the EaP. Armenia and the European Union underlined the importance of achieving the "Results of 2020" of the Eastern Partnership. The EU stressed its readiness to discuss specific proposals on the development of cooperation in specific areas within the framework of the Eastern Partnership.
"The EU confirmed the assistance to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs aimed at a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and then the Partnership Council stressed that the achievement of a lasting and reliable political solution to the conflict in Syria is of exceptional importance." The EU with the aim of integrating Syrian Armenians in Armenia, Madad provided assistance in the amount of 3 million euros, the European Union also reaffirmed its commitment to promote normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey and urged the parties You can participate in this process without any preconditions, the parties confirmed their commitment to international obligations on Iran, "the RA MFA reported.