Friday, June 22 2018 17:20

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.