Friday, March 10 2023 20:23

ArmInfo. Today Yerevan hosted the second meeting of the Civil Society Platform (CSP) within the framework of the  Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement(CEPA) signed between the European Union and Armenia in November 2017.

According to a press release, during the meeting, co-chair of the  Platform Lusine Hakobyan, as well as members of the Platform Gagik  Makaryan (Chairman of Republican Union of Employers of Armenia) and  Tiruhi Nazaretyan (Deputy President of the Confederation of Trade  Unions of Armenia) presented the steps taken by the Platform towards  monitoring the implementation of the agreement by the Armenian  authorities.

There was also a discussion on the topic: "The impact of the security  challenges facing Armenia on the implementation of CEPA", which was  attended by the Head of the European Union Delegation to Armenia,  Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Paruyr  Hovhannisyan and representative of the  Eurasia Partnership  Foundation Mikayel Hovhannisyan.

It was emphasized that an effective implementation of the CSP's  functions require effective communication between the civil society,  the Government of the Republic of Armenia ("Government" hereafter)and  the European Union, as well as consolidated effort in addressing the  goals set by the Agreement. It was also underscored that for the  civil society actors engaged in the process, CEPA is not only seen as  framework agreement between two partners, but also as a strong  stimulus for Armenia's democratization and social and economic  development.

It was pointed out that the effective and sustainable democratization  and development of any country is possible only in conditions of  peace and stability. In this respect, it is essential to refrain from  any military action (such as the one that was launched in September  2022 by Azerbaijan against the sovereign territory of Armenia) and to  any kind of aggressive narrative, as these are not conducive to peace  but leading to further violence. It is also essential that the rights  and security of Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh, including the right to  self-determination are fully taken into account to ensure a  comprehensive and durable conflict settlement in the interest of all  people of the region. Despite the challenges Armenia should continue  in its path to further integration with EU and respect of EU rules  and core principles.

In the light of the abovementioned, the meeting participants welcome  the deployment of the European Union mission in Armenia and call on  the European partners to undertake all necessary steps to contribute  to peace and security in the region, to insist on respect of  decisions of the International Court of Justice and on the right to  peaceful existence of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabagh. 

They called on Azerbaijan and all others involved to stop  obstructions to the Lachin corridor, in line with obligations  deriving from the 9 November 2020 statement.