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PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN RECEIVED THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN
COMMISSION JOSE MANUEL BARROSO
http://www.president.am/en/press-release/item/2012/12/01/President-Serzh-Sargsyan-meeting-European-Commission-Jose-Manuel-Barroso/
01.12.2012
President Serzh Sargsyan received today the President of the European
Commission Jose Manuel Barroso.
The President of Armenia and President of the European Commission
summarized results of the meeting at the press conference for the
representatives of the mass media.
***
Statement by President Serzh Sarsgyan on the results of the meeting
with the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso at
the press conference for the representatives of the mass media
Mr. President,
I am glad to host you in Yerevan for the first time. I recall warmly
our meeting in Brussels in March and greatly appreciate the
established dialogue between us. Your visit to Armenia is an important
impetus for the development of Armenia-EU relations.
Aspiration to have a state structured based on the European values -
freedom, democracy, the rule of law, has been ever-present in the
hearts of the Armenian people. We view our interaction with the
European structures as an important factor of Armenia's institutional
maturing and successful implementation of reforms.
It is no accident that I have reiterated our determination to continue
to deepen and develop our cooperation with the European Union. Our
goal is before the November 2013 Summit in Vilnius to conclude works
on the Association Agreement, including Deep and Comprehensive Free
Trade Zone negotiations, elevating thus our relations to a new level.
We have noted with satisfaction that negotiations on the EU entry visa
facilitation for the citizens of Armenia have been concluded. It will
be signed soon and we expect that it will enter into force in
mid-2013. After that, we will be ready to move on to the negotiations
regarding the next, more complex stage - abolishment of visa
requirement. From January 2013, citizens of EU will be visiting
Armenia without obtaining entry visas. This process has one objective
- to facilitate contacts between our societies, increase the number of
reciprocal visits, and provide new opportunities for the students,
scientists, and creative people.
At the meeting, I have expressed our conviction that it is necessary
to deepen cooperation in the framework of the Eastern Partnership
program. Closed borders, threats to use force, xenophobia and racism
have no place in the 21st century. Moreover, we must declare zero
tolerance towards these evils on the territory of our partnership. All
our statements and actions become deficient if against this background
one of the partner states calls the entire nation of another partner
state an enemy, offering a repulsive and classical example of
xenophobia.
We cannot pretend that it is normal when Turkey, a member of G-20,
which was created for the economic advancement and a country which
aspires to become a member of the European Union, is unilaterally and
illegally keeps border closed with Armenia, a member of the Eastern
Partnership. It runs contrary not only to the simple logic of the
Partnership but violates the main principles and norms of
international law. In Europe, borders must not be used as dividing
lines.
I presented to Mr. Barroso our visions of the resolution of the
Nagorno Karabakh problem. It is gratifying that we share with the
European Union full understanding regarding the resolution of the
conflict. Armenia has mentioned on many occasions that Nagorno
Karabakh is part of the European family, living with the same values;
in this regard, we attach importance to the direct contacts of the
representatives of the European Union with Nagorno Karabakh,
particularly their regular visits.
In the framework of our dialogue, we have discussed issues of mutual
interest related to the human rights in the open and constructive
atmosphere. I assured Mr. Barroso that we are committed to conduct
presidential elections in February 2013 in line with the highest
international standards.
I expressed gratitude to President Barroso for his assistance to the
program of reformation in Armenia and readiness to increase that
assistance based on the `More for More' approach. We have also
discussed the preparation works for the donor conference to be held
next year.
Dear Mr. Barroso,
In conclusion, I would like to express thanks for your persistent
efforts aimed at the deepening of Armenia-EU relations, strengthening
the Eastern Partnership, and establishment of peace and stability in
our region.
From: Baghdasarian
COMMISSION JOSE MANUEL BARROSO
http://www.president.am/en/press-release/item/2012/12/01/President-Serzh-Sargsyan-meeting-European-Commission-Jose-Manuel-Barroso/
01.12.2012
President Serzh Sargsyan received today the President of the European
Commission Jose Manuel Barroso.
The President of Armenia and President of the European Commission
summarized results of the meeting at the press conference for the
representatives of the mass media.
***
Statement by President Serzh Sarsgyan on the results of the meeting
with the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso at
the press conference for the representatives of the mass media
Mr. President,
I am glad to host you in Yerevan for the first time. I recall warmly
our meeting in Brussels in March and greatly appreciate the
established dialogue between us. Your visit to Armenia is an important
impetus for the development of Armenia-EU relations.
Aspiration to have a state structured based on the European values -
freedom, democracy, the rule of law, has been ever-present in the
hearts of the Armenian people. We view our interaction with the
European structures as an important factor of Armenia's institutional
maturing and successful implementation of reforms.
It is no accident that I have reiterated our determination to continue
to deepen and develop our cooperation with the European Union. Our
goal is before the November 2013 Summit in Vilnius to conclude works
on the Association Agreement, including Deep and Comprehensive Free
Trade Zone negotiations, elevating thus our relations to a new level.
We have noted with satisfaction that negotiations on the EU entry visa
facilitation for the citizens of Armenia have been concluded. It will
be signed soon and we expect that it will enter into force in
mid-2013. After that, we will be ready to move on to the negotiations
regarding the next, more complex stage - abolishment of visa
requirement. From January 2013, citizens of EU will be visiting
Armenia without obtaining entry visas. This process has one objective
- to facilitate contacts between our societies, increase the number of
reciprocal visits, and provide new opportunities for the students,
scientists, and creative people.
At the meeting, I have expressed our conviction that it is necessary
to deepen cooperation in the framework of the Eastern Partnership
program. Closed borders, threats to use force, xenophobia and racism
have no place in the 21st century. Moreover, we must declare zero
tolerance towards these evils on the territory of our partnership. All
our statements and actions become deficient if against this background
one of the partner states calls the entire nation of another partner
state an enemy, offering a repulsive and classical example of
xenophobia.
We cannot pretend that it is normal when Turkey, a member of G-20,
which was created for the economic advancement and a country which
aspires to become a member of the European Union, is unilaterally and
illegally keeps border closed with Armenia, a member of the Eastern
Partnership. It runs contrary not only to the simple logic of the
Partnership but violates the main principles and norms of
international law. In Europe, borders must not be used as dividing
lines.
I presented to Mr. Barroso our visions of the resolution of the
Nagorno Karabakh problem. It is gratifying that we share with the
European Union full understanding regarding the resolution of the
conflict. Armenia has mentioned on many occasions that Nagorno
Karabakh is part of the European family, living with the same values;
in this regard, we attach importance to the direct contacts of the
representatives of the European Union with Nagorno Karabakh,
particularly their regular visits.
In the framework of our dialogue, we have discussed issues of mutual
interest related to the human rights in the open and constructive
atmosphere. I assured Mr. Barroso that we are committed to conduct
presidential elections in February 2013 in line with the highest
international standards.
I expressed gratitude to President Barroso for his assistance to the
program of reformation in Armenia and readiness to increase that
assistance based on the `More for More' approach. We have also
discussed the preparation works for the donor conference to be held
next year.
Dear Mr. Barroso,
In conclusion, I would like to express thanks for your persistent
efforts aimed at the deepening of Armenia-EU relations, strengthening
the Eastern Partnership, and establishment of peace and stability in
our region.
From: Baghdasarian