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THE EUROPEAN UNION IS SEEKING CLOSER RELATIONS WITH THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
armradio.am
04.04.2012 14:38
"The European Union is seeking closer relations with the Republic of
Armenia - a relationship that, through increased dialogue, goes beyond
current cooperation and moves towards gradual economic integration
and deeper political ties," the EU Advisory Group to the Republic of
Armenia said in its 2011 Annual Report.
"Ultimately, these efforts could result in Armenia's participation in
European Union policies and programmes and pave the way for enhancing
the living standards and the mobility of Armenian citizens. To turn
this vision into reality, the Armenian government has embarked on
a path of reforms - a process that has been supported by a group of
European high-profile advisers since 2009," the report reads.
"In line with the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan, the EU
Advisory Group supports the Republic of Armenia in the implementation
of its political and economic reform agenda. During 2011, it focused
on supporting the development of legislation, strategies and action
plans, bringing them into line with EU standards. The group provided
practical policy advice on the implementation of reforms across sectors
as well as on cross-cutting issues such as public administration and
closer integration with the EU. Furthermore, to help achieve policy
reforms, it promoted and assisted with the utilization of relevant
EU technical assistance and financing instruments," the document reads.
According to the report, the activities of the EU Advisory Group
contributed to the major milestones reached in EU-Armenia relations
over the past year. "In the Justice, Liberty and Security (JLS) sector,
the group reviewed how EU recommendations on JLS reforms were being
applied and provided advice on the government's JLS reform strategy
and action plan. By commenting on the concept for the state regulation
of migration and supporting the introduction of an integrated border
management system, the group helped pave the way for an EU-Armenia
Mobility Partnership and the European Union's decision to launch
negotiations on visa facilitation and readmission agreements."
"In terms of the Democracy and Human Rights (DHR) situation in
Armenia, the EU Advisory Group assisted the National Assembly and
other political institutions to gradually improve the involvement
of civil society in the political decision making process through
public hearings and other EU best practices. The ongoing integration
process of Armenian political parties into their EU political families
was supported and led to an observatory status for three parties in
the European People's Party in February 2012. The Advisory Group
helped to strengthen EU-Armenia dialogue with its parliamentary
track, which gave advice to the National Assembly about enhancing
its role in the EURONEST PA. As a result, the head of the Armenian
delegation became co-chair of the EURONEST PA Working Group on Rules
of Procedure, together with the head of the parliamentary delegation
from Azerbaijan. By providing clear recommendations on the Human
Rights Protection Strategy and by further building the capacity of
the Armenian Human Rights Defender Office, the group also helped to
strengthen the protection of human rights in the country."
"Last but not least, the European Union's decision to launch
negotiations towards a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA)
with Armenia was facilitated by the EU Advisory Group. The group
defined a two phase approach to DFCTA negotiations, which effectively
foresaw the need to first implement a set of pre-negotiation measures
before tackling issues more relevant to the negotiations themselves.
Furthermore, it coordinated and provided strategic advice on draft
concepts and legislation related to Armenian quality infrastructure,
enforcement of intellectual property rights, food safety and the
customs clearance process," the EU Advisory Group said in the report.
From: A. Papazian
armradio.am
04.04.2012 14:38
"The European Union is seeking closer relations with the Republic of
Armenia - a relationship that, through increased dialogue, goes beyond
current cooperation and moves towards gradual economic integration
and deeper political ties," the EU Advisory Group to the Republic of
Armenia said in its 2011 Annual Report.
"Ultimately, these efforts could result in Armenia's participation in
European Union policies and programmes and pave the way for enhancing
the living standards and the mobility of Armenian citizens. To turn
this vision into reality, the Armenian government has embarked on
a path of reforms - a process that has been supported by a group of
European high-profile advisers since 2009," the report reads.
"In line with the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan, the EU
Advisory Group supports the Republic of Armenia in the implementation
of its political and economic reform agenda. During 2011, it focused
on supporting the development of legislation, strategies and action
plans, bringing them into line with EU standards. The group provided
practical policy advice on the implementation of reforms across sectors
as well as on cross-cutting issues such as public administration and
closer integration with the EU. Furthermore, to help achieve policy
reforms, it promoted and assisted with the utilization of relevant
EU technical assistance and financing instruments," the document reads.
According to the report, the activities of the EU Advisory Group
contributed to the major milestones reached in EU-Armenia relations
over the past year. "In the Justice, Liberty and Security (JLS) sector,
the group reviewed how EU recommendations on JLS reforms were being
applied and provided advice on the government's JLS reform strategy
and action plan. By commenting on the concept for the state regulation
of migration and supporting the introduction of an integrated border
management system, the group helped pave the way for an EU-Armenia
Mobility Partnership and the European Union's decision to launch
negotiations on visa facilitation and readmission agreements."
"In terms of the Democracy and Human Rights (DHR) situation in
Armenia, the EU Advisory Group assisted the National Assembly and
other political institutions to gradually improve the involvement
of civil society in the political decision making process through
public hearings and other EU best practices. The ongoing integration
process of Armenian political parties into their EU political families
was supported and led to an observatory status for three parties in
the European People's Party in February 2012. The Advisory Group
helped to strengthen EU-Armenia dialogue with its parliamentary
track, which gave advice to the National Assembly about enhancing
its role in the EURONEST PA. As a result, the head of the Armenian
delegation became co-chair of the EURONEST PA Working Group on Rules
of Procedure, together with the head of the parliamentary delegation
from Azerbaijan. By providing clear recommendations on the Human
Rights Protection Strategy and by further building the capacity of
the Armenian Human Rights Defender Office, the group also helped to
strengthen the protection of human rights in the country."
"Last but not least, the European Union's decision to launch
negotiations towards a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA)
with Armenia was facilitated by the EU Advisory Group. The group
defined a two phase approach to DFCTA negotiations, which effectively
foresaw the need to first implement a set of pre-negotiation measures
before tackling issues more relevant to the negotiations themselves.
Furthermore, it coordinated and provided strategic advice on draft
concepts and legislation related to Armenian quality infrastructure,
enforcement of intellectual property rights, food safety and the
customs clearance process," the EU Advisory Group said in the report.
From: A. Papazian