Mnatsakanyan: Both Armenia and the EU aim to work together to deepen  and strengthen bilateral relations

ArmInfo.Both Armenia and the EU aim to work together to deepen and strengthen bilateral relations. Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said this at  a joint press conference with Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok on  January 23 when he answered a question about a possible change in the  nature of Armenia-EU relations due to changes in the leadership of  the structure.

"The depth of relations between Armenia and the EU is so great, the  bilateral agenda is so vast, so close ties have been formed over the  years that the nature of these relations cannot be changed in one  day. Both we and the EU aim to work together to deepen and strengthen  these relations,"said the Armenian minister.

At the same time, the Minister noted that high-level contacts with  the new leadership in Brussels will continue in a natural way, and  the issue has never been raised for the Armenian side from a  different perspective.  Meanwhile, to clarify the position of the  Netherlands on the liberalization of the visa regime with Armenia,  Stef Blok, in turn, noted that this is a European process, the  European Commission should evaluate it, and the Dutch government will  take this into account.

He also touched on the political processes in Armenia, and expressed  admiration for what is happening in the Republic. "The Armenian  people decide their own future. It's not for me to judge, but the  fact is that the Netherlands has always supported the freedom of  speech and human rights. I hope that the Armenian people will  continue the process," Blok said.

To which Mnatsakanyan reacted, noted that the protection of human  rights for Armenia is one of the most important areas. "Armenia is a  member of a number of relevant international structures, and it  develops cooperation with the Netherlands in this area. Prevention of  violations is very important for Armenia, and Armenia and the  Netherlands have common approaches in this matter," the minister  said.