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BARROSO TAKES STOCK OF EU-ARMENIA RELATIONS IN YEREVAN
ENPI
Dec 3 2012
Eu
The EU and Armenia are building a strong relationship based on
political association, economic integration and deeper people-to-people
contacts, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has
said following his meeting in Yerevan with President Serzh Sargsyan
of Armenia.
"Democratic institutions, independence of the judiciary, political
pluralism, media freedom and protection of fundamental rights and
freedoms are the lifeblood of our partnership," Barroso stressed,
adding this had been his key message in the meetings with Armenia's
political leaders, parliamentarians and civil society.
The European Commission President hailed progress in the negotiations
on the Association Agreement (including a Deep and Comprehensive Free
Trade Area), due to be concluded in time of the Eastern Partnership
Summit in Vilnius in November 2013.
Barroso also cited headway in the Mobility dialogue, with the expected
signature of the Visa Facilitation Agreement on 17 December, followed,
at a later date, by the signature of the Readmission Agreement.
He also commended Armenia for the good conduct of the Parliamentary
elections in May 2012, saying he was reassured by the President's
personal commitment to address the shortcomings raised by the
OSCE/ODIHR mission.
The EU fully recognizes Armenia's commitment to reforms and the
efforts being made, said Barroso, adding the EU was determined to
support Armenia, in particular by stepping up its assistance to the
country this year with an additional ~@15 million for an existing
project on the reform of the Judiciary and for an on-going operation
on Vocational and Education Training.
President Barroso stressed the EU's commitment to peace and
regional stability, in particular through efforts to resolve the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the framework of the Minsk Group,
and reiterated the EU's readiness "to provide enhanced support for
confidence building measures if the parties so wish."
In Yerevan, President Barroso said the EU attached great importance to
Armenia as a country and to the Eastern neighbourhood as a whole. He
told an audience at the National Manuscript Museum in Yerevan that the
EU and Armenia were discussing the possibility of replacing the ENP
Action Plan with an 'Association Agenda' - "a more focused tool which
will prepare the road for the implementation of our new Agreement."
In his speech, President Barroso focused on the role of civil society
in the reform process. He said the EU had developed a new instrument -
the Neighbourhood Civil Society Facility - "to provide additional grant
support and encourage concrete actions from civil society." He also
voiced hope that the EU's support to NGOs will continue through the
European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights and through thematic
programmes for non-state actors, as well as other EU instruments.
"But beyond the instruments what is important to note here is the
political will - the political commitment to work together with your
country. We believe that Armenia is a European country, that you
belong to the European family of nations and that we have everything
to gain from working even closer," Barroso said.
The President hailed the Armenian government's policy of getting "as
close to the European Union as the European Union will let us," adding:
"In terms of sharing our values, of being a part of our internal
market we want you to be very close indeed." (EU Neighbourhood Info)
http://enpi-info.eu/maineast.php?id=31349&id_type=1&lang_id=450
ENPI
Dec 3 2012
Eu
The EU and Armenia are building a strong relationship based on
political association, economic integration and deeper people-to-people
contacts, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has
said following his meeting in Yerevan with President Serzh Sargsyan
of Armenia.
"Democratic institutions, independence of the judiciary, political
pluralism, media freedom and protection of fundamental rights and
freedoms are the lifeblood of our partnership," Barroso stressed,
adding this had been his key message in the meetings with Armenia's
political leaders, parliamentarians and civil society.
The European Commission President hailed progress in the negotiations
on the Association Agreement (including a Deep and Comprehensive Free
Trade Area), due to be concluded in time of the Eastern Partnership
Summit in Vilnius in November 2013.
Barroso also cited headway in the Mobility dialogue, with the expected
signature of the Visa Facilitation Agreement on 17 December, followed,
at a later date, by the signature of the Readmission Agreement.
He also commended Armenia for the good conduct of the Parliamentary
elections in May 2012, saying he was reassured by the President's
personal commitment to address the shortcomings raised by the
OSCE/ODIHR mission.
The EU fully recognizes Armenia's commitment to reforms and the
efforts being made, said Barroso, adding the EU was determined to
support Armenia, in particular by stepping up its assistance to the
country this year with an additional ~@15 million for an existing
project on the reform of the Judiciary and for an on-going operation
on Vocational and Education Training.
President Barroso stressed the EU's commitment to peace and
regional stability, in particular through efforts to resolve the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the framework of the Minsk Group,
and reiterated the EU's readiness "to provide enhanced support for
confidence building measures if the parties so wish."
In Yerevan, President Barroso said the EU attached great importance to
Armenia as a country and to the Eastern neighbourhood as a whole. He
told an audience at the National Manuscript Museum in Yerevan that the
EU and Armenia were discussing the possibility of replacing the ENP
Action Plan with an 'Association Agenda' - "a more focused tool which
will prepare the road for the implementation of our new Agreement."
In his speech, President Barroso focused on the role of civil society
in the reform process. He said the EU had developed a new instrument -
the Neighbourhood Civil Society Facility - "to provide additional grant
support and encourage concrete actions from civil society." He also
voiced hope that the EU's support to NGOs will continue through the
European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights and through thematic
programmes for non-state actors, as well as other EU instruments.
"But beyond the instruments what is important to note here is the
political will - the political commitment to work together with your
country. We believe that Armenia is a European country, that you
belong to the European family of nations and that we have everything
to gain from working even closer," Barroso said.
The President hailed the Armenian government's policy of getting "as
close to the European Union as the European Union will let us," adding:
"In terms of sharing our values, of being a part of our internal
market we want you to be very close indeed." (EU Neighbourhood Info)
http://enpi-info.eu/maineast.php?id=31349&id_type=1&lang_id=450