EUROPEAN COMMISSION REPORTS PROGRESS IN VARIOUS AREAS IN ARMENIA
armradio.am
26.05.2011 11:05
The European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for
Foreign Affairs and Security Policy published on 25 May 2011 the annual
"neighbourhood package", consisting of a communication proposing a
reviewed European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), 12 country reports on
developments in 2010, including one on Armenia, a sector report and
a report on the Eastern Partnership.
"In 2010 Armenia made progress in various areas of the ENP Action
Plan, including some progress in the area of political dialogue and
reform. It continued the human rights dialogue with the EU (the second
meeting took place in December 2010). Positive steps were taken to
overcome the political crisis with the gradual release of a number
of persons (but not all) detained after the March 2008 events. Good
progress was reported on decriminalization of defamation and on
strengthening of the Office of the Human Rights Defender.
Some progress was made in the area of judicial reforms and on enhancing
the freedom of expression, even though the media pluralism remains
limited. Good progress was made also in implementation of the UN
Convention against Torture and in preparations for the introduction
of biometric passports.
In view of the severe recession resulting from the global economic
crisis, in November 2010 the EU and Armenia agreed a ~@100 million
financial assistance package. Nevertheless, the crisis hampered
progress towards economic reform, poverty reduction and the protection
of the environment. Overall, Armenia maintained prudent macroeconomic
policies and introduced some measures to mitigate the effects of
the downturn.
Negotiations of the EU-Armenia Association Agreement were launched
in July 2010 and progressed at a good pace.
Negotiations on a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
continued at the highest level leading, among other things, to the
exchange of the prisoners of war and a joint statement during the
OSCE Summit in Astana in December 2010," the report reads.
armradio.am
26.05.2011 11:05
The European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for
Foreign Affairs and Security Policy published on 25 May 2011 the annual
"neighbourhood package", consisting of a communication proposing a
reviewed European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), 12 country reports on
developments in 2010, including one on Armenia, a sector report and
a report on the Eastern Partnership.
"In 2010 Armenia made progress in various areas of the ENP Action
Plan, including some progress in the area of political dialogue and
reform. It continued the human rights dialogue with the EU (the second
meeting took place in December 2010). Positive steps were taken to
overcome the political crisis with the gradual release of a number
of persons (but not all) detained after the March 2008 events. Good
progress was reported on decriminalization of defamation and on
strengthening of the Office of the Human Rights Defender.
Some progress was made in the area of judicial reforms and on enhancing
the freedom of expression, even though the media pluralism remains
limited. Good progress was made also in implementation of the UN
Convention against Torture and in preparations for the introduction
of biometric passports.
In view of the severe recession resulting from the global economic
crisis, in November 2010 the EU and Armenia agreed a ~@100 million
financial assistance package. Nevertheless, the crisis hampered
progress towards economic reform, poverty reduction and the protection
of the environment. Overall, Armenia maintained prudent macroeconomic
policies and introduced some measures to mitigate the effects of
the downturn.
Negotiations of the EU-Armenia Association Agreement were launched
in July 2010 and progressed at a good pace.
Negotiations on a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
continued at the highest level leading, among other things, to the
exchange of the prisoners of war and a joint statement during the
OSCE Summit in Astana in December 2010," the report reads.