Armenia, EU hold first political and security dialogue

ArmInfo. The first high-level Armenia-EU Political and Security Dialogue took place on 26 January 2023 in Yerevan, co-chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister of  the Republic of Armenia Vahe Gevorgyan and Deputy Secretary  General/Political Director of the European External Action Service  Enrique Mora.

The one-day meeting reflected the interest of both sides to take  forward political dialogue and cooperation in the area of foreign and  security policy, as a further important step in Armenia-EU relations.

The parties reviewed key security issues for Armenia, the EU and the  wider region, in particular challenges to European security, as well  as issues related to the normalisation of relations between Armenia  and Azerbaijan, including the growing humanitarian concerns related  to the obstruction of free movement in the Lachin corridor.

"Armenia is pleased to host the 1st Armenia-EU Political and Security  Dialogue which is an important framework for discussing a wide range  of issues related to international and regional security. Armenia  looks forward to strong cooperation with the EU Mission in Armenia in  monitoring the international borders of Armenia. Armenia values all  mediation and facilitation activities aimed at building peace and  security, which is essential to ensure the territorial integrity of  Armenia, the rights and security of Armenian population in  Nagorno-Karabakh," said Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of  Armenia Vahe Gevorgyan.

"The EU is making significant efforts at the highest level to  contribute to comprehensive normalisation of relations between  Armenia and Azerbaijan. We have just established a civilian EU  Mission in Armenia, which aims to contribute to increased stability  on the ground, human security and confidence-building. The first ever  Armenia-EU Political and Security Dialogue launched today  demonstrates our mutual interest in enhancing cooperation on foreign  and security policy issues, and readiness to work together for the  benefit of peace, security and stability, especially in the current  challenging international context marked by the Russian war of  aggression against Ukraine," said EEAS Deputy Secretary-General  Enrique Mora.

The meeting confirmed the commitment of Armenia and the EU to work  towards the South Caucasus that is secure, stable, peaceful and  prosperous for the benefit of all people living in the region. In  this regard, the parties discussed the upcoming deployment of the  civilian CSDP mission established by the EU Foreign Affairs Council  earlier this week. Through its activities and reports to the EU  leadership, the EUMA will also contribute to efforts undertaken in  the framework led by the President of the European Council Charles  Michel.

In the comprehensive exchange of views, the participants in the  Dialogue also discussed the situation in the wider region, including  the process of normalisation of relations between Armenia and Turkey,  as well as issues relating to hybrid threats and other  security-related matters.

Meetings of the Armenia-EU Political and Security Dialogue will be  held regularly, in principle on a yearly basis.