Tuesday, June 23 2020 16:57

ArmInfo. The Co-President of Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, the Head of the European Parliament Delegation Andrius Kubilius and the Head of Armenian Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly Gayane Abrahamyan made a joint statement, which referred to the EU assistance for Armenia to  mitigate the negative impact of COVID-19 crisis, to protect  democracy, the support of the judiciary reforms and other spheres.

As the press service of the RA NA reports, the statement notes that  the European Union (EU) is a key reform partner and the authors  welcome Armenia's commitment to implement reforms of judiciary and  the police while addressing the impact of COVID-19 crisis.

"We appreciate the progress made by Armenia in the area of justice  reform. We welcome the European Union's strong commitment to help  Armenia to develop the highest standards of judicial system."

The Heads of the Delegations have stressed that the successful  implementation of the comprehensive reforms by Armenia, in areas such  as the rule of law, justice and fight against corruption, will create  new incentives for an ambitious path towards European integration and  the next steps to be taken by Armenia and for further cooperation.

Regarding the crisis created because of COVID-19, the counterparts  have noted that the European Union, being the largest donor and  partner in Armenia and it stands together with Armenia in a moment of  crisis with strong solidarity and international cooperation. Hence,  the EU increased its annual average assistance from EUR 40 million to  EUR 65 million, as well as the EU has committed to provide over EUR  92 million in grants of bilateral support. The Rapid Response  Mechanism has already ensured distribution of humanitarian aid  packages to over 3000 vulnerable households, in Shirak, Tavush and  Lori regions.  Additionally, over 350 school-age children will gain  access to distance learning tools ensuring equal access to  educational activities organised by their schools.

Andrius Kubilius and Gayane Abrahamyan have noted that the  cooperation based on the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership  Agreement (CEPA) with the European Union is growing into an enhanced  and strategically reinforced partnership between Armenia and the  European Union. Stressing the effective implementation of the  Armenia-EU Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements, the Heads of  the Delegations have expressed hope that the launch of the Visa  Liberalization Dialogue (VLD) shall be the next milestone to closer  cooperation and increased mobility in the near future.