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12TH RA-EU PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION COMMITTEE MEETING BEGINS THE WORK IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
National Assembly of RA
www.parliament.am
Nov 3 2011
Armenia
On November 2 in the parliament the twelfth RA-EU Parliamentary
Cooperation Committee (PCC) Meeting was held.
Hovik Abrahamyan, President of the Armenian National Assembly,
delivered his welcoming speech.
"Distinguished members of the Armenia-EU Parliamentary Cooperation
Committee,
Esteemed ambassadors,
Dear guests,
I am pleased to welcome you at the National Assembly of the Republic
of Armenia . This is the first meeting for the European members of
the Armenia-EU PCC in Yerevan , and I am happy to say - welcome to
Yerevan .
Today the committee has convened for its regular meeting to review
the annual work. As at every meeting this time, too, our colleagues
will address both the success we have registered and current problems.
Future activity will also be anticipated.
The committee which was set up twelve years ago with the view of
holding a political dialogue between the members of the European
Parliament and the Armenian National Assembly, due to its consistent
work succeeded in promoting the joint agenda of Armenia and the EU.
As I have stated many times, the European dimension and our
rapprochement with the EU is one of the priorities of the foreign
and domestic policy of our country, and we attach great importance to
the items placed on the EU-Armenia cooperation agenda at this stage,
which relate more to a closer cooperation, in particular in the fields
of foreign and security policy, democracy, economic integration,
mobility, human rights and energy.
I also wish to focus on the following: less than a year has passed
since the launch of the Association Agreement process with the EU. At
present we have accomplished nineteen chapters of the agreement.
Dear Colleagues,
While leaving the detailed analysis of the completed work to the
committee members, I would like to briefly touch upon the reforms
and steps undertaken by Armenia recently on its way to European
integration.
Quite recently following broad discussions a new Electoral Code was
finalized and passed, enabling to hold free and fair elections.
Another achievement, in my view, is the new law on the Freedom
of Assembly, aimed at ensuring the right to freely organize and
attend rallies set forth by Article 29 of the RA Constitution and
international treaties. The new law provides the necessary machinery
regulating the terms and procedure for the exercise and defence of
the freedom of rallies. The interference of different authorities in
restricting rallies is the minimum, thus excluding the arbitrariness
in prohibiting rallies.
Dear Colleagues,
A few days after the constituent meeting of the EURONEST I would
like to refer to the Assembly. Today we are pleased to state that a
multiparty parliamentary assembly is set up, and I wish to mention
that the Armenian National Assembly was among the first to respond
to the establishment thereof, carrying out the preparation needed
for it without any delay. This inter-parliamentary assembly is the
parliamentary leverage of the Eastern Partnership policy, which
should create the necessary conditions for promoting the political
association and economic integration between the EU and Eastern
Partnership states. The Assembly cannot function fully, if instead
of issues of regional cooperation only matters related to conflicts
are put on the table.
The European Union having established lasting peace and prosperity in
its space is a role model of political and economic integration for the
world. It is my strong belief that this experience could be localized
in South Caucasus , if all parties display the necessary political
will. The Republic of Armenia openly supports the normal development
of relations with its neighbours and deepening of regional cooperation.
Dear Colleagues,
The Armenian National Assembly focuses on the active dialogue with
the civil society. In this context the Memorandum of Understanding
concluded a few days ago between the delegation of the National
Assembly and Armenian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership
Civil Society Forum within the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly is an
important event.
The MOU sets forth five basic goals, for which the parties should
unite their efforts to:
- promote prevention of corruption in the RA public administration
system and reduce corruption risks;
- promote prevention of corruption in the RA public administration
system and reduce corruption risks; - help to improve the effectiveness
of fight on restrictions of civil freedoms and rights in all areas
and sectors of the RA public life;
- raise awareness of the RA commitments to the EU among people;
- promote understanding of the European values - Human Rights, the
Rule of Law and Democracy - and shaping of a consciousness to help
their adoption;
- develop and introduce legislation proceeding from the agreements
signed or to be signed between the RA and the EU.
Dear Colleagues,
With all of this in view, we are aware that the implementation of
the reforms is impossible if there is a lack of trust therein, belief
and political will.
I would like to assure that the Armenian President, parliament and
government are strong in their will to finalize the democratic reforms.
I believe interesting work is ahead for the Committee at this meeting,
too and I hope it will be held in a constructive atmosphere of mutual
understanding. I wish you success in all your endeavours."
Co-chairs Naira Zohrabyan and Milan Cabrnoch also welcomed the
Committee members.
In his speech Mr. Cabrnoch showed appreciation for friendly reception
and highlighted the dialogue in parliamentary format between the
representatives of the EU big political groups and the Armenian MPs,
expecting effective cooperation. The Co-Chair has mentioned that they
observe Armenia as a part of Europe , and they consider important
the development of relations in all spheres. Mr. Cabrnoch mentioned
the main dimensions, which today the parliamentarians discussed and
focused on the Association Agreement, the free comprehensive trade
zone, visa and readmission facilitation, as well as the issue relating
to the people's move.
Moderating the Meeting Naira Zohrabyan proposed to approve the
agenda of the Meeting and the protocol of the eleventh Meeting of
the EU-Armenia PCC held in Brussels on December 1-2, 2010.
Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, RA Deputy Foreign Minister, and Onno Simons, Head
of the Political, Economic, Press and Information Section of the EU
Delegation in Armenia , talked on the current situation between the EU
and Armenia , particularly, on the procedure of the negotiations over
the Association Agreement. They both expressed satisfaction over the
ongoing active process of the dialogue between Armenia and the EU. Mr.
Mnatsakanyan has stressed that the cooperation is a system of values,
which promotes the efficiency of the started reforms. "As a result
of negotiations over the Association Agreement 19 chapters and
17 supplements of the document have been succeeded to be complied
completely," the speakers have said, mentioning that the discussions
over the remaining problems are still going on. It was, particularly,
noted that the negotiations over the visa and readmission facilitation
will be held simultaneously, and the investment of biometric passports
would promote the acceleration of the process.
The parliamentarians also presented their assessments and notions
about the steps taken and to be taken. Hermine Naghdalyan, member of
the RPA faction, introduced the fields of social-economic reforms,
as well as anti-corruption events. Hovhannes Margaryan, member of the
Country of Law faction, also talked about the actions in reducing
the corruption by the authorities and emphasized the transparency
in that issue.Larisa Alaverdyan, Secretary of the Heritage faction,
presented his concerns on some steps taken by the authorities.
The MPs discussed the Eastern Partnership Action Plan, the issues
concerning the holding of fair elections and formation of trade zone.
Within the framework of the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly the
cooperation, especially at regional level, was emphasized. Naira
Zohrabyan noticed that this format should become a platform of
cooperation, rather than promote deepening of the dividing lines.
On November 3 the work of the Committee will continue in the
parliament.
National Assembly of RA
www.parliament.am
Nov 3 2011
Armenia
On November 2 in the parliament the twelfth RA-EU Parliamentary
Cooperation Committee (PCC) Meeting was held.
Hovik Abrahamyan, President of the Armenian National Assembly,
delivered his welcoming speech.
"Distinguished members of the Armenia-EU Parliamentary Cooperation
Committee,
Esteemed ambassadors,
Dear guests,
I am pleased to welcome you at the National Assembly of the Republic
of Armenia . This is the first meeting for the European members of
the Armenia-EU PCC in Yerevan , and I am happy to say - welcome to
Yerevan .
Today the committee has convened for its regular meeting to review
the annual work. As at every meeting this time, too, our colleagues
will address both the success we have registered and current problems.
Future activity will also be anticipated.
The committee which was set up twelve years ago with the view of
holding a political dialogue between the members of the European
Parliament and the Armenian National Assembly, due to its consistent
work succeeded in promoting the joint agenda of Armenia and the EU.
As I have stated many times, the European dimension and our
rapprochement with the EU is one of the priorities of the foreign
and domestic policy of our country, and we attach great importance to
the items placed on the EU-Armenia cooperation agenda at this stage,
which relate more to a closer cooperation, in particular in the fields
of foreign and security policy, democracy, economic integration,
mobility, human rights and energy.
I also wish to focus on the following: less than a year has passed
since the launch of the Association Agreement process with the EU. At
present we have accomplished nineteen chapters of the agreement.
Dear Colleagues,
While leaving the detailed analysis of the completed work to the
committee members, I would like to briefly touch upon the reforms
and steps undertaken by Armenia recently on its way to European
integration.
Quite recently following broad discussions a new Electoral Code was
finalized and passed, enabling to hold free and fair elections.
Another achievement, in my view, is the new law on the Freedom
of Assembly, aimed at ensuring the right to freely organize and
attend rallies set forth by Article 29 of the RA Constitution and
international treaties. The new law provides the necessary machinery
regulating the terms and procedure for the exercise and defence of
the freedom of rallies. The interference of different authorities in
restricting rallies is the minimum, thus excluding the arbitrariness
in prohibiting rallies.
Dear Colleagues,
A few days after the constituent meeting of the EURONEST I would
like to refer to the Assembly. Today we are pleased to state that a
multiparty parliamentary assembly is set up, and I wish to mention
that the Armenian National Assembly was among the first to respond
to the establishment thereof, carrying out the preparation needed
for it without any delay. This inter-parliamentary assembly is the
parliamentary leverage of the Eastern Partnership policy, which
should create the necessary conditions for promoting the political
association and economic integration between the EU and Eastern
Partnership states. The Assembly cannot function fully, if instead
of issues of regional cooperation only matters related to conflicts
are put on the table.
The European Union having established lasting peace and prosperity in
its space is a role model of political and economic integration for the
world. It is my strong belief that this experience could be localized
in South Caucasus , if all parties display the necessary political
will. The Republic of Armenia openly supports the normal development
of relations with its neighbours and deepening of regional cooperation.
Dear Colleagues,
The Armenian National Assembly focuses on the active dialogue with
the civil society. In this context the Memorandum of Understanding
concluded a few days ago between the delegation of the National
Assembly and Armenian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership
Civil Society Forum within the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly is an
important event.
The MOU sets forth five basic goals, for which the parties should
unite their efforts to:
- promote prevention of corruption in the RA public administration
system and reduce corruption risks;
- promote prevention of corruption in the RA public administration
system and reduce corruption risks; - help to improve the effectiveness
of fight on restrictions of civil freedoms and rights in all areas
and sectors of the RA public life;
- raise awareness of the RA commitments to the EU among people;
- promote understanding of the European values - Human Rights, the
Rule of Law and Democracy - and shaping of a consciousness to help
their adoption;
- develop and introduce legislation proceeding from the agreements
signed or to be signed between the RA and the EU.
Dear Colleagues,
With all of this in view, we are aware that the implementation of
the reforms is impossible if there is a lack of trust therein, belief
and political will.
I would like to assure that the Armenian President, parliament and
government are strong in their will to finalize the democratic reforms.
I believe interesting work is ahead for the Committee at this meeting,
too and I hope it will be held in a constructive atmosphere of mutual
understanding. I wish you success in all your endeavours."
Co-chairs Naira Zohrabyan and Milan Cabrnoch also welcomed the
Committee members.
In his speech Mr. Cabrnoch showed appreciation for friendly reception
and highlighted the dialogue in parliamentary format between the
representatives of the EU big political groups and the Armenian MPs,
expecting effective cooperation. The Co-Chair has mentioned that they
observe Armenia as a part of Europe , and they consider important
the development of relations in all spheres. Mr. Cabrnoch mentioned
the main dimensions, which today the parliamentarians discussed and
focused on the Association Agreement, the free comprehensive trade
zone, visa and readmission facilitation, as well as the issue relating
to the people's move.
Moderating the Meeting Naira Zohrabyan proposed to approve the
agenda of the Meeting and the protocol of the eleventh Meeting of
the EU-Armenia PCC held in Brussels on December 1-2, 2010.
Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, RA Deputy Foreign Minister, and Onno Simons, Head
of the Political, Economic, Press and Information Section of the EU
Delegation in Armenia , talked on the current situation between the EU
and Armenia , particularly, on the procedure of the negotiations over
the Association Agreement. They both expressed satisfaction over the
ongoing active process of the dialogue between Armenia and the EU. Mr.
Mnatsakanyan has stressed that the cooperation is a system of values,
which promotes the efficiency of the started reforms. "As a result
of negotiations over the Association Agreement 19 chapters and
17 supplements of the document have been succeeded to be complied
completely," the speakers have said, mentioning that the discussions
over the remaining problems are still going on. It was, particularly,
noted that the negotiations over the visa and readmission facilitation
will be held simultaneously, and the investment of biometric passports
would promote the acceleration of the process.
The parliamentarians also presented their assessments and notions
about the steps taken and to be taken. Hermine Naghdalyan, member of
the RPA faction, introduced the fields of social-economic reforms,
as well as anti-corruption events. Hovhannes Margaryan, member of the
Country of Law faction, also talked about the actions in reducing
the corruption by the authorities and emphasized the transparency
in that issue.Larisa Alaverdyan, Secretary of the Heritage faction,
presented his concerns on some steps taken by the authorities.
The MPs discussed the Eastern Partnership Action Plan, the issues
concerning the holding of fair elections and formation of trade zone.
Within the framework of the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly the
cooperation, especially at regional level, was emphasized. Naira
Zohrabyan noticed that this format should become a platform of
cooperation, rather than promote deepening of the dividing lines.
On November 3 the work of the Committee will continue in the
parliament.