Armenia`s FM: European aspirations of RA citizens are a guiding  principle for the Armenian government

ArmInfo. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan has delivered a speech at the launch of the  Regional Meeting of the EU Ambassadors to Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

As reported by the press service of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia,  Mirzoyan noted  that holding this seminar in Armenia is a testament  to the continued deepening of the Armenia-EU partnership. According  to him, this discussion is taking place at a time characterized by  interesting events and changes, as well as many uncertainties. "We  are following the security dilemmas and discussions in the EU, we are  closely following the choices the EU is facing," Mirzoyan added. In  the context of democratic processes, the Armenian Minister stated  that four years ago, in the midst of a hybrid war, Armenia managed to  hold fully free and democratic elections.

"Since then, we have not deviated from this path. Even in the face of  existential challenges, Armenia has consistently maintained its  democratic path. This path has been reflected in the government's  policy, serving as the basis for implementing large-scale reforms  aimed at ensuring the independence of the judiciary, combating  corruption, and strengthening the protection of human rights,"  Mirzoyan said, assuring that in a certain sense, democracy has become  one of the pillars of strengthening the country's independence and  sovereignty.

He then touched upon the bold steps taken by the Armenian authorities  to diversify  partnerships, in this context speaking about  strengthening strategic relations with the United States, expanding  strategic partnership with EU member states, and establishing a  Strategic Dialogue with the United Kingdom.  "While we have already  built a strong partnership through the institutional architecture of  the  cornerstone of our bilateral cooperation, the Comprehensive and  Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA),  we are now finalizing the new  Armenia-EU Partnership Agenda, a forward-looking document that will  take our cooperation to a new level through strategic priorities and  actionable programs. It builds on the strong partnership we have  forged in recent years, spanning a range of areas: from justice  reforms to economic development, transport and energy," Mirzoyan  said.

The Armenian Foreign Minister called the launch of the Visa  Liberalization Dialogue (VLD) and the work on the Visa Liberalization  Action Plan, which will set clear benchmarks, a positive step in  Armenia-EU relations. He noted that once they are achieved, Armenian  citizens will be able to enjoy a visa-free regime.  Referring to how  the Armenia-EU agenda can be further enriched, Mirzoyan expressed  conviction that creative solutions are needed that go beyond  traditional approaches. "These could include, for example, the  possibility of using Autonomous Trade Measures, providing Armenia  with tools to combat manipulation and interference of foreign  information, as well as strengthening our common resilience to hybrid  threats and other practical steps," the head of the Armenian Foreign  Ministry said, emphasizing that the above is fully consistent with  the European aspirations of the Armenian authorities. 

In this vein, Mirzoyan called the adoption of the bill on accession  to the EU by the country's parliament two months ago not just a  policy choice, but a national aspiration, a testament to the  confidence of Armenian citizens in their European future. According  to him, all this is a guiding principle for the Armenian government.  "Turning to other pillars of EU-Armenia cooperation, we recognize the  importance of engagement on security-related issues, which would have  been unthinkable just a few years ago. The European Union has   engaged in Armenia's security agenda since the deployment of the EU  Monitoring Mission, and we welcome the extension of the Mission's  mandate. Despite tangible results recorded in the border demarcation  process with Azerbaijan last year, ceasefire violations unfortunately  continue, which once again underlines the vital role of the Mission  in refuting false accusations and maintaining predictability and  stability on the ground. A targeted and principled response to  ceasefire violations is therefore of utmost importance in the current  volatile situation," the Armenian Foreign Minister added. 

He also informed that Armenia has requested that support through the  European Peace Facility  be continued in 2025 to assure that this  assistance is not only a clear demonstration of the EU's political  will to broaden and deepen its partnership with Armenia, but also  strengthens its resilience in difficult times.