Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the EU and Eastern Partnership states

Armenia wants to develop cooperation with EU, FM Nalbandian says

(source:   http://armenianow.com/news/56332/armenia_european_union_eastern_partnership_cooperation_nalbandian_ashton )

According to the press service of the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivering a speech at the meeting, Nalbandian mentioned that Armenia desires to develop its cooperation with EU, based on “the results and progress achieved over the last years.”

“At the Vilnius summit, Armenia and the EU reconfirmed their commitment to further develop and strengthen cooperation in all areas of mutual interest within the Eastern Partnership, stressing the importance updating the existing basis of our relations. We look forward to taking further steps in order to prepare a new legal basis of cooperation with the EU, which, on the one hand, can reflect what has been achieved in the course of Armenia’s negotiations, and, on the other hand, will take into account the new realities,” the top Armenian diplomat said.

Nalbandian highlighted that the EU’s consistent assistance and support play significant role in the realization of reforms in Armenia, the strengthening of democracy and institutional capacities.

The foreign minister of Armenia stressed that numerous areas, starting from the political dialogue to judiciary and mobility partnership, from migration issues to institutional reforms and the increase of resources are on the agenda of Armenia-EU cooperation, he also mentioned Armenia’s willingness to continue working in all the fields of common interest.

Nalbandian noted that expanding mobility between our societies is a common goal and Armenia wishes to launch a dialogue on the exemption of visa regime based on the successful experience of EU-Armenia visa facilitation and readmission agreements.

He stressed the significance of the Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (which entered into force this March) on the basic principles for the participation of the Republic of Armenia in various EU programs, that allow Armenia to take part in different EU programs and expand bilateral sectoral cooperation.

As for regional cooperation, Minister Nalbandian stated that Turkey continues blockading the border with Armenia and thus hinders the normalization of bilateral relations and the exploitation of transport and communication routes between Armenia and the EU.

It is paradoxical that Turkey as a country which expresses willingness to join the EU has closed its border with a neighboring country whereas free mobility is a fundamental principle throughout the territory of the EU, he said.

In his speech Nalbandian welcomed the appointment of Herbert Salber as EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and wished him success in his mission. […]

Armenia Keen On Further Partnership With EU, FM Says

(source: http://www.azatutyun.am/content/article/25467406.html )

During Tuesday’s EU and Eastern Partnership Foreign Ministers meeting, which was also attended by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule, Nalbandian said that Armenia wants this partnership with the EU to be based on the results and progress achieved in recent years.

According to the Armenian Foreign Ministry’s press service, in his speech Nalbandian said: “At the Vilnius Summit Armenia and the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to continue and strengthen their cooperation in the Eastern Partnership format in all areas of mutual interest, emphasizing the importance of updating the legal basis for our relations. Armenia looks forward to making further steps for the purpose of establishing a new legal framework for cooperation with the European Union that will, on the one hand, reflect what was achieved during the negotiations with Armenia and, on the other hand, will take into account the new realities,” the minister said.