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ENPI Info Centre
July 4 2012
Van Rompuy notes progess in EU-Armenia relations
04-07-2012
The EU and Armenia are experiencing overall progress in their
relationship, the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy
said after his meeting in Yerevan with Armenia's President Serzh
Sargsyan today.
In particular, Van Rompuy cited headway in the negotiations on the
Association Agreement, the launch of negotiations on a Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, as well as negotiations on Visa
Facilitation and Readmission Agreements.
He said Armenia should make maximum use of the opportunities provided
by the Eastern Partnership, adding `we are on track in reaching the
goals set out in the Roadmap in time for the next Eastern Partnership
summit in Vilnius 2013.'
President Van Rompuy hailed Armenia's `strategic choice' in committing
itself to reforms based on the EU's core values, and efforts in moving
towards the standards and norms of the EU.
The stronger the commitment to pursue genuine reform and to uphold
universal values, the more Armenia can count on the EU, in accordance
with the "more for more" principle, said Van Rompuy. He announced the
EU's decision to top up its annual support to the country by 15
million for 2012 under the Eastern Partnership Integration and
Cooperation Programme (EaPIC), in a 25 % increase of the EU's
financial assistance to Armenia, adding `the funds would be used to
scale up our support to a number for core reforms in support for
Armenia's progress towards association.'
Van Rompuy said the EU welcomed Armenia's efforts to deliver more
competitive and transparent parliamentary elections, describing it as
an important step forward. On this basis, he said, the European
Commission will now be in a position to start preparations of a donor
conference with Armenia and international financial institutions.
President Van Rompuy also touched upon the need to advance towards the
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, calling it a top
priority. `Every day that goes by without a solution is an opportunity
missed for all of us. In order to find a solution we need to build
confidence, trust and respect,' said the European Council President.
Van Rompuy further elaborated on the "more for more" principle in his
address to Armenia's National Assembly today, stressing that it had
been one of the main features of the EU's renewed Neighbourhood Policy
launched last year and that Armenia had `a lot to gain' from it.
The role of Armenia's civil society was the main topic of Van Rompuy's
address to the Civil Society Forum `Armenia in Europe.' He said
relations between Armenia and the EU depend to a great extent on
civil society to map progress on such agendas as n human rights, press
freedom, higher education etc. (EU Neighbourhood Info)
http://enpi-info.eu/maineast.php?id=29556&id_type=1&lang_id=450
From: Baghdasarian
July 4 2012
Van Rompuy notes progess in EU-Armenia relations
04-07-2012
The EU and Armenia are experiencing overall progress in their
relationship, the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy
said after his meeting in Yerevan with Armenia's President Serzh
Sargsyan today.
In particular, Van Rompuy cited headway in the negotiations on the
Association Agreement, the launch of negotiations on a Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, as well as negotiations on Visa
Facilitation and Readmission Agreements.
He said Armenia should make maximum use of the opportunities provided
by the Eastern Partnership, adding `we are on track in reaching the
goals set out in the Roadmap in time for the next Eastern Partnership
summit in Vilnius 2013.'
President Van Rompuy hailed Armenia's `strategic choice' in committing
itself to reforms based on the EU's core values, and efforts in moving
towards the standards and norms of the EU.
The stronger the commitment to pursue genuine reform and to uphold
universal values, the more Armenia can count on the EU, in accordance
with the "more for more" principle, said Van Rompuy. He announced the
EU's decision to top up its annual support to the country by 15
million for 2012 under the Eastern Partnership Integration and
Cooperation Programme (EaPIC), in a 25 % increase of the EU's
financial assistance to Armenia, adding `the funds would be used to
scale up our support to a number for core reforms in support for
Armenia's progress towards association.'
Van Rompuy said the EU welcomed Armenia's efforts to deliver more
competitive and transparent parliamentary elections, describing it as
an important step forward. On this basis, he said, the European
Commission will now be in a position to start preparations of a donor
conference with Armenia and international financial institutions.
President Van Rompuy also touched upon the need to advance towards the
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, calling it a top
priority. `Every day that goes by without a solution is an opportunity
missed for all of us. In order to find a solution we need to build
confidence, trust and respect,' said the European Council President.
Van Rompuy further elaborated on the "more for more" principle in his
address to Armenia's National Assembly today, stressing that it had
been one of the main features of the EU's renewed Neighbourhood Policy
launched last year and that Armenia had `a lot to gain' from it.
The role of Armenia's civil society was the main topic of Van Rompuy's
address to the Civil Society Forum `Armenia in Europe.' He said
relations between Armenia and the EU depend to a great extent on
civil society to map progress on such agendas as n human rights, press
freedom, higher education etc. (EU Neighbourhood Info)
http://enpi-info.eu/maineast.php?id=29556&id_type=1&lang_id=450
From: Baghdasarian