ArmInfo. The developments in Armenia over the months of April and May were of strictly domestic nature, they concern Armenia, they are about Armenia and are about the aspirations of the Armenian people, Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan stated in his speech at the 10th Informal Dialogue of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Eastern Partnership Countries on June 22, the press service of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia informs.
He expressed assurance that by now the participants of the meeting have been well briefed about the latest developments in Armenia. In this context he reiterated the unwavering and strong commitment of the new government led by the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resolutely deliver on the clear mandate of the people of Armenia and to consolidate the rule of law, democratic principles, fight against corruption, the protection and the promotion of the rights of the Armenian people to secure fairness and equal opportunities for all in economic, social and other activities. Having been in office for more than one month the Government has been steadfast in its manifest actions, Mnatsakanyan stressed. Touching upon foreign policy priorities, the Armenian Foreign Minister stated that as formulated in the Government programme, Armenia pursues continuity, predictability and reinforced engagement with all its friends and partners on the basis of sovereign equality and in consolidation of the efforts to promote the interests of Armenia and advance mutually beneficial cooperation and partnership. At the same time he informed that the first Partnership Council following the activation of the provisional application of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement was held yesterday in Brussels with Vice President and High Representative Federica Mogherini. "This was an important opportunity to take stock of the present phase of our partnership and sketch out the priorities for the way ahead. Provisional application of the Agreement was made possible following the ratification of the CEPA by the Armenian Parliament on 11 April. The CEP Agreement represents the new legal foundation of our relations with the European Union and its member states and builds on the long tradition of cooperation. For Armenia it is also a valuable instrument in assisting to our reform agenda", Mnatsakanyan said. Talking about Eastern Partnership the Minister stressed that it continues to be an important platform for advancing the spirit of co-operation on the basis of shared principles and set of values. We will continue to insist on advancing such spirit in our relations and to work towards building trust and mutual respect amongst partner countries. This message of Europe born out of the deprivations of the Second World War remains as relevant as ever. And Commissioner Hahn has been referring to it, the message of stability in your statement as well. The turbulence of the present international and European agenda should compel us to reinforce such message and action. "The 2017 Brussels summit empowered us with 20 deliverables by 2020 at the core of which is the promotion of regional coherence, co-operation and dialogue between the EU and the Eastern Neighbours and among the partners themselves. Armenia reiterates its commitment to advance this agenda. I thank Minister Makei for initiating an exchange of views for our present meeting on the prospects of the Eastern Partnership in relation to the Multiannual Financial Framework priorities and the External Investment Plan. We consider the latter to be an important undertaking to enhance our economic resilience and performance in critical areas related to the sustainable development agenda. We would welcome a sustained focus on the Eastern neighbourhood in future EU budgetary deliberations, as we should collectively aim at securing the implementation of the already agreed mid- and long-term joint programmes directly linked to modernisation efforts and reforms", Mnatsakanyan summarized his speech.