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European Union News
January 10, 2013 Thursday
Press statement by Commissioner Ĺtefan Füle following his meeting with
Hovik Abrahamyan, President of the Armenian National Assembly
Brussels
European Commission has issued the following press release:
Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Ĺtefan
Füle met with Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan, President of the Armenian National
Assembly in Brussels today.
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss how to accelerate the
reform and modernisation of Armenia for the benefit of the country and
its citizens and how the EU can support those changes.
Commissioner Füle commended the recent developments in EU-Armenia
relations, notably the good progress on the Visa Facilitation and
Readmission Agreement and the signature of last December's Visa
Facilitation Agreement. The Commissioner expressed the hope that a
good track record of its implementation will allow the journey towards
visa liberalization to be taken to a next level. The Commissioner also
expressed his appreciation for the unilateral lifting of visa
requirements by Armenia for EU citizens.
He welcomed progress in the negotiations on an Association Agreement,
including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. This Agreement is
of the utmost importance in moving the EU-Armenia relationship to a
higher level. It goes far beyond a normal free trade agreement.
Through the Agreement the EU will open up portions of its acquis
related to the internal market. But beyond this it encompasses changes
that affect citizens in their daily lives in areas like consumer
protection, air quality and road safety, offering a protective
umbrella of high democratic standards and real guarantees for their
rights.
The upcoming Presidential elections were also discussed during the
meeting: "Successful ` free and fair - elections really matter and are
crucial for EU-Armenia relations; without them the continuous reform
which we want to see could be undermined. Before the elections next
month, further progress is needed in the implementation of the current
legislative framework, as recommended by the OSCE/ODIHR, while in
parallel the longer-term process of updating electoral legislation for
polls in the future should also continue.'' said Commissioner Füle.
Broader regional cooperation was also raised, with an emphasis on the
fact that good neighbourly relations are of strategic importance for
Armenia, in particular as regards Russia. It is in the EU's interest
to see good Armenian-Russian relations; they can in turn benefit also
from Armenia's partnership with the EU.
Issues concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement process were
discussed, including the issue of possible flights to the airport in
Nagorno-Karabakh. Commissioner Füle reiterated EU's continued support
for the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and their efforts in facilitating a
peaceful settlement. He also stressed the need for the sides to seek a
diplomatic solution to issues relating to this airport and to avoid
any actions that could fuel tensions in the region.
For more information please visit http://europa.eu
January 10, 2013 Thursday
Press statement by Commissioner Ĺtefan Füle following his meeting with
Hovik Abrahamyan, President of the Armenian National Assembly
Brussels
European Commission has issued the following press release:
Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Ĺtefan
Füle met with Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan, President of the Armenian National
Assembly in Brussels today.
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss how to accelerate the
reform and modernisation of Armenia for the benefit of the country and
its citizens and how the EU can support those changes.
Commissioner Füle commended the recent developments in EU-Armenia
relations, notably the good progress on the Visa Facilitation and
Readmission Agreement and the signature of last December's Visa
Facilitation Agreement. The Commissioner expressed the hope that a
good track record of its implementation will allow the journey towards
visa liberalization to be taken to a next level. The Commissioner also
expressed his appreciation for the unilateral lifting of visa
requirements by Armenia for EU citizens.
He welcomed progress in the negotiations on an Association Agreement,
including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. This Agreement is
of the utmost importance in moving the EU-Armenia relationship to a
higher level. It goes far beyond a normal free trade agreement.
Through the Agreement the EU will open up portions of its acquis
related to the internal market. But beyond this it encompasses changes
that affect citizens in their daily lives in areas like consumer
protection, air quality and road safety, offering a protective
umbrella of high democratic standards and real guarantees for their
rights.
The upcoming Presidential elections were also discussed during the
meeting: "Successful ` free and fair - elections really matter and are
crucial for EU-Armenia relations; without them the continuous reform
which we want to see could be undermined. Before the elections next
month, further progress is needed in the implementation of the current
legislative framework, as recommended by the OSCE/ODIHR, while in
parallel the longer-term process of updating electoral legislation for
polls in the future should also continue.'' said Commissioner Füle.
Broader regional cooperation was also raised, with an emphasis on the
fact that good neighbourly relations are of strategic importance for
Armenia, in particular as regards Russia. It is in the EU's interest
to see good Armenian-Russian relations; they can in turn benefit also
from Armenia's partnership with the EU.
Issues concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement process were
discussed, including the issue of possible flights to the airport in
Nagorno-Karabakh. Commissioner Füle reiterated EU's continued support
for the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and their efforts in facilitating a
peaceful settlement. He also stressed the need for the sides to seek a
diplomatic solution to issues relating to this airport and to avoid
any actions that could fuel tensions in the region.
For more information please visit http://europa.eu