Friday, May 15 2020 10:40

ArmInfo.Significant progress in the development of democracy is evident in Armenia. The head of the European Union delegation to the Republic of Armenia, Ambassador  Andrea Wiktorin announced this during a video conference organized by  the Armenian service of Radio Liberty.

 According to her, the new context makes it possible to fully implement the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, which defines the EU's relations with Armenia in all sectors." We highly appreciate the roadmap for  implementing this Agreement, which was developed jointly with the  Government of Armenia, and which is the basis for the reform process  in the country. We render all possible assistance to Armenia in this  process, "the Ambassador noted, adding that significant progress has  been made in the implementation of the reform program. As an example,  Andrea Wiktorin cited the adoption of the Strategy for the Reform of  the Legal System, the Protection of Human Rights and the program of  measures arising from this document, as well as the recently approved  Police Reform Strategy, which was adopted under COVID-19.

"We are waiting for the implementation of these Strategies, having  mobilized a financial package in this direction, which was ratified  by Armenia 10 days ago, the amount of assistance is 23 million euros.  And this mechanism will quickly and efficiently implement the  ambitious reform agenda that the Republic of Armenia has adopted and  is implementing in accordance with European and international  standards>, said Andrea Wiktorin.  She also noted that there is a   clear prospect of starting negotiations on liberalizing the visa  regime, which is enshrined in the Comprehensive and Enhanced  Partnership Agreement. "This is one of the goals that we set for the  Eastern Partnership countries in November 2017," the Ambassador  emphasized, noting that the Armenian Foreign Ministry is closely  cooperating with the Member States on this issue to solve existing  problems at the national level. 

"The decision on a dialogue on visa liberalization should be made by  27 EU member states, and one thing should be well understood. Member  states need appropriate guarantees that Armenian citizens are fully  aware of the understanding of visa liberalization, because this does  not mean an opportunity to stay in Europe on a long-term basis or  engage in professional activities, but means traveling in the  Schengen area for a period not exceeding 90 days for 6 months. EU  continues to support Armenia on the path of these reforms, and we  hope that Armenia will soon be able to reach a point where all EU  members are ready to start a dialogue on liberalizing the visa  regime, "Andrea Wiktorin emphasized. The EU-Armenia Comprehensive and  Enhanced Partnership Agreement was signed in Brussels on November 24,  2017. On April 11, 2018, it was unanimously ratified by the Armenian  parliament. The document was also approved by the European  Parliament. From June 1, 2018, the agreement partially entered into  force.