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Dec 1 2012
Statement by President Barroso following his meeting with Mr Serzh
Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia
Mr President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon,
Let me start by thanking President Sargsyan for his invitation to
visit Armenia and for such a warm welcome. Armenia is a country full
of rich history and culture. It is amazing to see what thus country
has given to the civilisation. Today I could testify this at the
Museum of Ancient Armenian Manuscripts. But Armenia is also a nation
that has its sights firmly set on an even stronger future.
Allow me also to thank you, Mr President, for the kind words you just
addressed to me and for your references to the positive role of the
European Union in relation with your country.
Mr President, after our very productive meeting in Brussels last
March, it is with great interest that I am here in Yerevan today to
witness the important changes that are taking place in your country.
We just had a very positive, comprehensive and friendly exchange of
views. We took stock of our bilateral relations and we discussed
concrete ways to move forward with our common agenda.
Armenia is a very important partner for the European Union in the
framework of our Eastern Partnership and we are building a strong
relationship based on political association, economic integration, and
deeper people-to-people contacts.
Indeed, the negotiations on the Association Agreement, including a
Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, are progressing very well and
we should aim to reach a good agreement by the end of next year in
time of our Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius in November 2013.
Once completed, these negotiations will further strengthen Armenia's
European perspective.
Recently, we also gave concrete steps in our Mobility dialogue. After
constructive - and should I say - quick negotiations we will be able
to sign the Visa Facilitation Agreement still this month, on 17
December, followed, at a later date, by the signature of the
Readmission Agreement. Our long term goal is clear and we will work
for it: we want visa free travel.
Today I also had the chance to congratulate President Sargsyan for the
good conduct of the Parliamentary elections in May 2012. I am
reassured by the President's personal commitment to address the
shortcomings that were identified by the OSCE/ODIHR mission. In this
context, the working group that the President established is a strong
sign of leadership and I commend you for that. It is indeed of
critical importance that next the next elections are impecable in
terms of fairness and respect of international standards.
Democratic institutions, independence of the judiciary, political
pluralism, media freedom and protection of fundamental rights and
freedoms are the lifeblood of our partnership. This was the message
that I brought to all the meetings that I held today with Armenia's
political leaders, parliamentarians and civil society. These values
and principles need to be upheld and actively defended. I am happy
with President Sargsyan commitment in this direction.
The European Union fully recognizes Armenia's commitment to reforms
and the efforts being made. We are also aware of the challenges ahead.
But we are in this together and we support you. In fact, this year we
increased our assistance to the country giving 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. This is
not only recognition of your good work, but it is an incentive to keep
your reformist ambition.
Peace and regional stability are also necessary to advance our common
goals. I reaffirmed the urgent need to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.
The EU continues to support the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and we
stand ready, in full complementarity with the Minsk Group, to provide
enhanced support for confidence building measures if the parties so
wish.
We believe that only through a stable neighbourhood and good relations
amongst the countries in the region will be possible for Armenia to
fully tap the potential of the country and also of its association
agenda with the European Union.
To conclude, let me once more thank President Sargsyan for welcoming
me today. Mr President, the European Union has a stake in Armenia's
future and we are ready to work together with you in fulfilling the
aspirations of all Armenian citizens. You can count on us.
I thank you for your attention.
01 December 2012
.
http://www.investineu.com/content/statement-president-barroso-following-his-meeting-mr-serzh-sargsyan-president-republic-armen-12c3
From: A. Papazian
Dec 1 2012
Statement by President Barroso following his meeting with Mr Serzh
Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia
Mr President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon,
Let me start by thanking President Sargsyan for his invitation to
visit Armenia and for such a warm welcome. Armenia is a country full
of rich history and culture. It is amazing to see what thus country
has given to the civilisation. Today I could testify this at the
Museum of Ancient Armenian Manuscripts. But Armenia is also a nation
that has its sights firmly set on an even stronger future.
Allow me also to thank you, Mr President, for the kind words you just
addressed to me and for your references to the positive role of the
European Union in relation with your country.
Mr President, after our very productive meeting in Brussels last
March, it is with great interest that I am here in Yerevan today to
witness the important changes that are taking place in your country.
We just had a very positive, comprehensive and friendly exchange of
views. We took stock of our bilateral relations and we discussed
concrete ways to move forward with our common agenda.
Armenia is a very important partner for the European Union in the
framework of our Eastern Partnership and we are building a strong
relationship based on political association, economic integration, and
deeper people-to-people contacts.
Indeed, the negotiations on the Association Agreement, including a
Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, are progressing very well and
we should aim to reach a good agreement by the end of next year in
time of our Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius in November 2013.
Once completed, these negotiations will further strengthen Armenia's
European perspective.
Recently, we also gave concrete steps in our Mobility dialogue. After
constructive - and should I say - quick negotiations we will be able
to sign the Visa Facilitation Agreement still this month, on 17
December, followed, at a later date, by the signature of the
Readmission Agreement. Our long term goal is clear and we will work
for it: we want visa free travel.
Today I also had the chance to congratulate President Sargsyan for the
good conduct of the Parliamentary elections in May 2012. I am
reassured by the President's personal commitment to address the
shortcomings that were identified by the OSCE/ODIHR mission. In this
context, the working group that the President established is a strong
sign of leadership and I commend you for that. It is indeed of
critical importance that next the next elections are impecable in
terms of fairness and respect of international standards.
Democratic institutions, independence of the judiciary, political
pluralism, media freedom and protection of fundamental rights and
freedoms are the lifeblood of our partnership. This was the message
that I brought to all the meetings that I held today with Armenia's
political leaders, parliamentarians and civil society. These values
and principles need to be upheld and actively defended. I am happy
with President Sargsyan commitment in this direction.
The European Union fully recognizes Armenia's commitment to reforms
and the efforts being made. We are also aware of the challenges ahead.
But we are in this together and we support you. In fact, this year we
increased our assistance to the country giving 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. This is
not only recognition of your good work, but it is an incentive to keep
your reformist ambition.
Peace and regional stability are also necessary to advance our common
goals. I reaffirmed the urgent need to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict.
The EU continues to support the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and we
stand ready, in full complementarity with the Minsk Group, to provide
enhanced support for confidence building measures if the parties so
wish.
We believe that only through a stable neighbourhood and good relations
amongst the countries in the region will be possible for Armenia to
fully tap the potential of the country and also of its association
agenda with the European Union.
To conclude, let me once more thank President Sargsyan for welcoming
me today. Mr President, the European Union has a stake in Armenia's
future and we are ready to work together with you in fulfilling the
aspirations of all Armenian citizens. You can count on us.
I thank you for your attention.
01 December 2012
.
http://www.investineu.com/content/statement-president-barroso-following-his-meeting-mr-serzh-sargsyan-president-republic-armen-12c3
From: A. Papazian