ArmInfo. On June 1, the partial implementation of the Armenia- EU comprehensive and expanded partnership agreement will start. This May 11 in Yerevan on the margins of the opening of the Days of Europe in Armenia the head of the EU delegation to Armenia Piotr Switalsky stated.
To clarification of ArmInfo, which provisions of the agreement are being discussed, the ambassador said that it will be possible to implement almost 80% of the provisions of the agreement. The diplomat recalled that Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Karen Nazaryan presented in detail at the hearings in the National Assembly directions and provisions on which cooperation within the framework of the interim agreement will become possible. "I would like to state that there was a fairly wide debate in the Armenian parliament around the agreement. I was impressed by the knowledge of the deputies, and the attention they paid to this issue. The debate was high, and the fact that the agreement was unanimously ratified shows only a deep knowledge of the provisions of this agreement and a commitment to its implementation, "the ambassador said.
At the same time, he stressed that on June 1 an important event is planned - a partnership council is planned, on which the roadmap for interaction will be outlined. He recalled that agreements were reached with the former government on the format of interaction and expressed confidence that the new executive body will continue implementing the projects. At the same time, the ambassador stated about the readiness of the EU to discuss with the new government issues related to the implementation of previously reached agreements. Switalsky also believes that the main motto of cooperation should be avoidance of time loss.
At the same time, the ambassador stressed that the European Union will try to preserve the existing working agenda of cooperation, around which agreements were reached earlier. "We are convinced that the dialogue at the working level will be extremely important and useful from the point of view of solving the tasks of our agenda. We are also ready to listen to the proposals of the new government of Armenia, as well as requests related to the implementation of the new framework agreement, as well as clarifications related to its implementation. We also understand that the priority task of the new government will be holding honest, free and open elections. If any requests from the EU or other international donor organizations on the issue of facilitating such elections are sent by the new government of Armenia, we are ready to study it constructively. And it is obvious that we expect initiative from the new government from this point of view, "said the head of the EU mission in Armenia.
He also expressed the conviction that the previously reached agreements with the Armenian side will be of priority in relations with the new government, at least during the coming month.
At the same time, Switalsky stressed that the European Union still expects to submit a program of activities for the new government of Armenia. According to him, the EU is ready to conduct a dialogue with the Armenian side after the program is presented, which will allow us to clarify the positions on further cooperation. "We are pragmatic. We are convinced that the new government will be even more pragmatic on this issue and therefore we will find a common language, "said the ambassador.
Switalsky also informed that a delegation from Brussels on the protection of human rights will visit Armenia next week. "On the agenda of the meeting there will be issues related to human rights, special attention will be paid to the sphere of justice. In the format of subcommittees there will be discussions related to this area. But, in general, given the current situation, it would be useful for both sides to discuss in which directions our cooperation will continue, " Switalsky said.