Mirzoyan: Armenia, EU signal  important achievements in bilateral  relations

ArmInfo.Armenia and the EU have signaled the important achievements recorded in bilateral  relations today, including the holding of consultations in Yerevan on security and defense, as stated by the head of the Armenian MFA Ararat Mirzoyan during  a joint press conference with EU High  Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, in Yerevan.

 "First, this is the signing of an agreement that defines the  framework for the Armenian side's participation in  EU crisis  management operations. It serves as a clear example of mutual  willingness to expand the areas of cooperation between Armenia and  the EU. Second, the initiation of consultations between Armenia and  the EU in  security and defense. This is a decisive step to bring our  cooperation in line with modern challenges and additional efforts to  overcome them," he said, emphasizing the importance of cooperation  for advancing Armenian institutions in countering hybrid threats and  disinformation. According to him, in this context, the activities of  the EU mission in Armenia and the assistance provided to the Armenian  side through the European Peace Facility were discussed. The third  achievement, according to the Armenian official, is the successful  conclusion of negotiations on a new partnership agenda. 

"This is an ambitious document that will add new areas of cooperation  and deepen the Armenia-EU agenda.  It will also stimulate the  effective implementation of the document on comprehensive  cooperation. Thus, we are signaling that Armenia-EU relations have  never been so close and comprehensive," the Armenian Minister  continued, thanking the EU for  implementing programs, providing  financial assistance and showing readiness to support in difficult  times. The Minister recalled the recent adoption of the law on  launching EU membership process and discussed possible practical  steps to implement this law, as well as issues related to the  dialogue on visa liberalization. He added that in the economic  context, discussions were held on bringing markets closer, and in the  regional context  - the potential for complementarity between the  Global Gate and Crossroads of the World projects, as well as the  Middle Corridor project, where the South Caucasus can act as  a  bridge between Europe and Central Asia. The summit of the European  political community scheduled for next year in Yerevan was also  discussed. "Today's agreements create additional opportunities to  deepen our cooperation and maintain an  intensive dynamics," Mirzoyan  said.  In turn, Kallas noted that she came to Yerevan with a clear  message - the EU and Armenia have never been as close as they are  today.  Noting the success of reforms in  Armenia  in recent years,  the EU representative assured of readiness to further deepen  cooperation in various areas. "As financial assistance, the EU is  implementing a business assistance program for 2024-27 in the amount  of 270 million euros,  and the social assistance to displaced persons  from Karabakh," she noted.  Kallas then pointed out the importance of  developing contacts between people, the development of a dialogue on  visa liberalization, and recalled the start of a dialogue in this  regard.  She also highlighted the activities of the EU civil mission  in Armenia in terms of promoting peace and stability, and added that  she had visited and familiarized herself with the work of the mission  in Yeghegnadzor.  When asked whether it was true that Hungary was  obstructing the provision of funds from the Peace Facility to  Armenia, the EU High Representative recalled that there are 27  sovereign countries in the European Union with voting rights, and  each has its own opinion. She also noted that all decisions in the EU  are made by consensus. "This is a process, and we are trying to find  a solution. Yes, there is no solution, but we are trying to find  one," Kallas assured, essentially confirming the media report that  Hungary was blocking the provision of funds from the European Peace  Facility  to Armenia