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July 4, 2012 Wednesday 12:53 AM EST
Opening Address by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European
Council, to Civil Society Forum 'Armenia in Europe'
BRUSSELS
The European Union's European Council issued the following opening
address by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy:
It is a pleasure for me to be in Yerevan today and to be here at this
event. I am looking very much forward to listening and exchanging
views with you.
I am glad to see that the theme of "Armenia in Europe" attracts such
attention from civil society organisations in Armenia. If there is one
message I want to leave you with today, it is the following - the
joint project of bringing Armenia closer to the EU will only work and
will only meet its potential if it is understood and supported by
citizens. And here you have a critical role to play.
First, couple of words on how I see the developments in Armenia,
something I will also discuss with President Sargsyan later today.
Armenia's commitment to reforms based on the core values of the
European Union, and geared at approximating to the standards and norms
of the EU is very welcome. This is clearly a strategic choice made by
Armenia.
I will encourage President Sargsyan, as I will encourage your
parliamentarians, to let Armenia continue on the path towards
strengthening its democratic institutions, to promote transparency, to
root out corruption and to respect Human Rights and the rule of law,
including the right to free speech and press. Armenia is on the right
track, even if there is still work ahead.
I will also point out that the European Union is prepared to support
Armenia. The stronger the commitment to pursue genuine reform and to
uphold our shared values, the more you will be able to count on the
EU.
In this context, The European Union welcomes the efforts which the
Armenian authorities made to deliver more competitive and transparent
parliamentary elections. This was an important step forward, although
there still are some issues that will need to be addressed, as
identified in the Final Report by the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation
Mission. We trust that these issues will be addressed before the
upcoming Presidential elections.
Where does the Civil Society come in to the picture? I can only stress
the importance you play as a force in the reform process.
Let me underline three main areas which are intimately linked and
where your role is essential also when it comes to serving the cause
of relations between Armenia and the EU: monitoring the progress of
reform, encouraging accountability, and deepening expertise.
First, let me begin with monitoring the progress of reform. At the
heart of the relation between Armenia and the EU we have a common set
of goals and commitments. We depend to a great extent on civil society
to map progress on these agendas, whether on human rights, press
freedom, higher education reform or any other area.
We should not forget that these inputs cover economic as well as
political domains: your work is absolutely fundamental to our
understanding of areas such as the business and investment climate or
the tax system. Your efforts feed each year into our own progress
reports.
The second point I wished to stress is encouraging accountability -
this means being a voice for citizens and keeping them informed, in
particular those from groups that are marginalized or
under-represented in civil discourse. Let me give an example: to
ensure the full respect of minority rights, we need direct lines of
communication with the minorities themselves, through trusted and
reliable representatives who can articulate their social, economic and
political needs.
Third, ladies and gentlemen, is the development of expertise. We are
setting up dialogues, supporting reforms and providing financial and
technical assistance on a great number of fronts, from the
environment, to agriculture, to public health.
In order to succeed, we need constant advice on the state of
legislation and institutions here in Armenia, on the challenges to
bringing them closer to the norms and standards of the EU, and on the
worries and concerns which citizens may have. Much of this expertise
resides among ecology organizations, patients' organizations, media
monitoring bodies and
so on - and we need it if the priorities for our cooperation are to be
realistic and focused on the needs of citizens.
Ladies and gentlemen, these are three among the many reasons why civil
society matters to us - we expect a lot from you and in return you
have the right to expect something from us in terms of recognition and
support.
Let me start with recognition: in its approach to the region, as part
of our "Eastern Partnership", the European Union has aimed from the
very beginning to reach out beyond governments - to civil society, to
national parliaments, to regional and local authorities. A Civil
Society Forum has been established: its basic objectives are to
support civil society
organisations, promote contacts among them and to facilitate their
dialogue with the authorities.
Since its creation in 2009, the Forum has become an integral part of
the Eastern Partnership, helping to turn commitments into concrete
results throughout the region.
Here in Armenia recognition is also important. I am glad that several
meetings have taken place between the Civil Society Forum National
Platform and representatives of the government. We need to build on
this to achieve a systematic and continuous dialogue - that is the
only way to progress from formality to substance.
Recognition by government is of course also very important, as is the
respect for the independence of civil society when it brings messages
which are uncomfortable or unwelcome.
I also mentioned the right for civil society to expect our support. We
will continue to provide financial assistance directly to civil
society organisations, in all the areas where we are engaged.
As I draw to a close let me underline the vital role of civil society
in achieving genuine reforms and democratisation. The greater the
engagement of civil society, the stronger democracy will be, in terms
of political pluralism and a reliable system of checks and balances.
Ladies and gentlemen, in my address to Parliament one of my core
messages will be that Armenia's fulfillment of its enormous potential,
including in the political association with the EU, depends upon
achieving medium to long-term stability and predictability. This can
only be achieved by eliminating the threat of conflict, and addressing
the consequences of
previous conflict as well. Here also civil society has an important
role to play, by encouraging and serving the peaceful resolution of
the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
The assessment I have often received is that public perceptions,
expectations and fears relating to the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process
are disconnected from the interactions between political leaders at
the negotiating table. Without fully involving that the societies
affected by the conflict in the peace process, this phase of the
negotiations could fail, with serious impact for long-term stability
in the region.
To conclude, ladies and gentlemen, you have a vital role to play in
the reform and peace processes of Armenia. My presence here today
shows you, I hope, that at the very highest level in the EU we rely on
you and we look to you for support. In all areas your help can make a
crucial difference, in particular in monitoring commitments and
results. We count on you to hold our upcoming bilateral agreement to
the highest standard - its success depends also on your involvement!
July 4, 2012 Wednesday 12:53 AM EST
Opening Address by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European
Council, to Civil Society Forum 'Armenia in Europe'
BRUSSELS
The European Union's European Council issued the following opening
address by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy:
It is a pleasure for me to be in Yerevan today and to be here at this
event. I am looking very much forward to listening and exchanging
views with you.
I am glad to see that the theme of "Armenia in Europe" attracts such
attention from civil society organisations in Armenia. If there is one
message I want to leave you with today, it is the following - the
joint project of bringing Armenia closer to the EU will only work and
will only meet its potential if it is understood and supported by
citizens. And here you have a critical role to play.
First, couple of words on how I see the developments in Armenia,
something I will also discuss with President Sargsyan later today.
Armenia's commitment to reforms based on the core values of the
European Union, and geared at approximating to the standards and norms
of the EU is very welcome. This is clearly a strategic choice made by
Armenia.
I will encourage President Sargsyan, as I will encourage your
parliamentarians, to let Armenia continue on the path towards
strengthening its democratic institutions, to promote transparency, to
root out corruption and to respect Human Rights and the rule of law,
including the right to free speech and press. Armenia is on the right
track, even if there is still work ahead.
I will also point out that the European Union is prepared to support
Armenia. The stronger the commitment to pursue genuine reform and to
uphold our shared values, the more you will be able to count on the
EU.
In this context, The European Union welcomes the efforts which the
Armenian authorities made to deliver more competitive and transparent
parliamentary elections. This was an important step forward, although
there still are some issues that will need to be addressed, as
identified in the Final Report by the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation
Mission. We trust that these issues will be addressed before the
upcoming Presidential elections.
Where does the Civil Society come in to the picture? I can only stress
the importance you play as a force in the reform process.
Let me underline three main areas which are intimately linked and
where your role is essential also when it comes to serving the cause
of relations between Armenia and the EU: monitoring the progress of
reform, encouraging accountability, and deepening expertise.
First, let me begin with monitoring the progress of reform. At the
heart of the relation between Armenia and the EU we have a common set
of goals and commitments. We depend to a great extent on civil society
to map progress on these agendas, whether on human rights, press
freedom, higher education reform or any other area.
We should not forget that these inputs cover economic as well as
political domains: your work is absolutely fundamental to our
understanding of areas such as the business and investment climate or
the tax system. Your efforts feed each year into our own progress
reports.
The second point I wished to stress is encouraging accountability -
this means being a voice for citizens and keeping them informed, in
particular those from groups that are marginalized or
under-represented in civil discourse. Let me give an example: to
ensure the full respect of minority rights, we need direct lines of
communication with the minorities themselves, through trusted and
reliable representatives who can articulate their social, economic and
political needs.
Third, ladies and gentlemen, is the development of expertise. We are
setting up dialogues, supporting reforms and providing financial and
technical assistance on a great number of fronts, from the
environment, to agriculture, to public health.
In order to succeed, we need constant advice on the state of
legislation and institutions here in Armenia, on the challenges to
bringing them closer to the norms and standards of the EU, and on the
worries and concerns which citizens may have. Much of this expertise
resides among ecology organizations, patients' organizations, media
monitoring bodies and
so on - and we need it if the priorities for our cooperation are to be
realistic and focused on the needs of citizens.
Ladies and gentlemen, these are three among the many reasons why civil
society matters to us - we expect a lot from you and in return you
have the right to expect something from us in terms of recognition and
support.
Let me start with recognition: in its approach to the region, as part
of our "Eastern Partnership", the European Union has aimed from the
very beginning to reach out beyond governments - to civil society, to
national parliaments, to regional and local authorities. A Civil
Society Forum has been established: its basic objectives are to
support civil society
organisations, promote contacts among them and to facilitate their
dialogue with the authorities.
Since its creation in 2009, the Forum has become an integral part of
the Eastern Partnership, helping to turn commitments into concrete
results throughout the region.
Here in Armenia recognition is also important. I am glad that several
meetings have taken place between the Civil Society Forum National
Platform and representatives of the government. We need to build on
this to achieve a systematic and continuous dialogue - that is the
only way to progress from formality to substance.
Recognition by government is of course also very important, as is the
respect for the independence of civil society when it brings messages
which are uncomfortable or unwelcome.
I also mentioned the right for civil society to expect our support. We
will continue to provide financial assistance directly to civil
society organisations, in all the areas where we are engaged.
As I draw to a close let me underline the vital role of civil society
in achieving genuine reforms and democratisation. The greater the
engagement of civil society, the stronger democracy will be, in terms
of political pluralism and a reliable system of checks and balances.
Ladies and gentlemen, in my address to Parliament one of my core
messages will be that Armenia's fulfillment of its enormous potential,
including in the political association with the EU, depends upon
achieving medium to long-term stability and predictability. This can
only be achieved by eliminating the threat of conflict, and addressing
the consequences of
previous conflict as well. Here also civil society has an important
role to play, by encouraging and serving the peaceful resolution of
the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.
The assessment I have often received is that public perceptions,
expectations and fears relating to the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process
are disconnected from the interactions between political leaders at
the negotiating table. Without fully involving that the societies
affected by the conflict in the peace process, this phase of the
negotiations could fail, with serious impact for long-term stability
in the region.
To conclude, ladies and gentlemen, you have a vital role to play in
the reform and peace processes of Armenia. My presence here today
shows you, I hope, that at the very highest level in the EU we rely on
you and we look to you for support. In all areas your help can make a
crucial difference, in particular in monitoring commitments and
results. We count on you to hold our upcoming bilateral agreement to
the highest standard - its success depends also on your involvement!