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STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN AT THE EUROPEAN PEOPLE'S PARTY CONVENTION
http://www.president.am/en/statements-and-messages/item/2012/10/17/President-Serzh-Sargsyan-convention-European-Peoples-Party-Bucharest-speech/
17.10.2012
Distinguished Colleagues,
Nine months ago in Marseille, the preceding EPP Congress welcomed the
admission of three Armenian political parties to the great EPP family.
Today, I have the honor for the first time to address the EPP Congress
officially in my capacity as President of the Republic of Armenia
and the leader of the Republican Party of Armenia. I am grateful to
all those present here, and especially to President Martens, for the
support provided to our accession. I also thank President BÄ~Csescu
for hosting this annual meeting and its excellent organization.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to congratulate the leadership
of the European Union and citizens of the member States on winning
the Nobel Peace Prize. This award testifies to the appreciation
of the contribution by the European Union to the consolidation and
strengthening of international peace.
The past, culture, and ultimate ambitions and aspirations of
the Armenian nation make us an indivisible part of the European
civilization. The accession of the Armenian political parties to
the EPP stems from our shared Christian heritage as well as from
our joint commitment to the basic liberties and to the principles of
democracy and human rights. The European People's Party has become
an important link for the revaluation of the European identity. We,
therefore, view our membership to the EPP as an important element
of our association process with Europe. Our political family is the
driving force behind the European integration, as well as a promoter
and a major implementing force of the reforms.
I am pleased to note that especially since the launch of the Eastern
Partnership Program, the Armenia-EU partnership has been developing
vigorously, registering serious qualitative and substantial progress
in all areas of cooperation. Today, Armenia is among the leaders
of the Eastern Partnership regarding the Association negotiations
and the initiated large-scale reforms. We welcome the declaration
by this Summit on the Single Market. In the future, the Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement will allow Armenia too to benefit
from the opportunities provided by the Single Market.
The Government of Armenia has waived the entry visa requirement
for the citizens of the EU member states and the signatories of
the Schengen Agreement. We hope that all present here and thousands
of citizens of your countries will utilize this new opportunity of
visiting Armenia freely.
We have initiated development of the agenda for comprehensive reforms,
which will result in a much more efficient system of governance. For
the implementation of these goals, Armenia needs considerable financial
assistance from the European Union. Towards this end, together with
the European Commission we have been jointly conducting preparations
work for the organization of the donors' conference for Armenia.
Dear Colleagues,
Our country is getting ready for the presidential elections. The
parliamentary elections that took place in Armenia last spring
were assessed by the international observers as the best since
independence. The authorities of the Republic of Armenia are determined
to transform registered progress into a firm trend and to hold free,
fair, transparent and democratic presidential elections. To achieve
that we are conducting preliminary works stemming from the conclusions
and proposals of the OSCE/ODIHR. There is no need to say that this time
again we expect active participation of the international observers.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Security of the South Caucasus region is an indivisible part of the
European security. We see no alternative to the process of a peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh problem in the framework of the OSCE
Minsk Group. Recently, Azerbaijan challenged the the entire civilized
human society by glorifying a murderer extradited by the EU member
state. It's been proved time and again that xenophobia constitutes
the official policy of that country and presents an immediate threat
to the security of the people of Nagorno Karabakh.
Dear Colleagues,
The financial and economic crisis is a serious threat to the EU and
to its partner states. Crisis of such magnitude cannot be defeated
single-handedly. The EPP Summit motto this year is very relevant; the
response to this challenge is "more Europe", the response is a more
consolidated Europe, and a stronger commitment to the European ideas
and solidarity. Only such Europe will be able to overcome the current
financial and economic crisis and open a new window of opportunities
for the prosperity of our societies.
Thank you.
From: A. Papazian
http://www.president.am/en/statements-and-messages/item/2012/10/17/President-Serzh-Sargsyan-convention-European-Peoples-Party-Bucharest-speech/
17.10.2012
Distinguished Colleagues,
Nine months ago in Marseille, the preceding EPP Congress welcomed the
admission of three Armenian political parties to the great EPP family.
Today, I have the honor for the first time to address the EPP Congress
officially in my capacity as President of the Republic of Armenia
and the leader of the Republican Party of Armenia. I am grateful to
all those present here, and especially to President Martens, for the
support provided to our accession. I also thank President BÄ~Csescu
for hosting this annual meeting and its excellent organization.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to congratulate the leadership
of the European Union and citizens of the member States on winning
the Nobel Peace Prize. This award testifies to the appreciation
of the contribution by the European Union to the consolidation and
strengthening of international peace.
The past, culture, and ultimate ambitions and aspirations of
the Armenian nation make us an indivisible part of the European
civilization. The accession of the Armenian political parties to
the EPP stems from our shared Christian heritage as well as from
our joint commitment to the basic liberties and to the principles of
democracy and human rights. The European People's Party has become
an important link for the revaluation of the European identity. We,
therefore, view our membership to the EPP as an important element
of our association process with Europe. Our political family is the
driving force behind the European integration, as well as a promoter
and a major implementing force of the reforms.
I am pleased to note that especially since the launch of the Eastern
Partnership Program, the Armenia-EU partnership has been developing
vigorously, registering serious qualitative and substantial progress
in all areas of cooperation. Today, Armenia is among the leaders
of the Eastern Partnership regarding the Association negotiations
and the initiated large-scale reforms. We welcome the declaration
by this Summit on the Single Market. In the future, the Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement will allow Armenia too to benefit
from the opportunities provided by the Single Market.
The Government of Armenia has waived the entry visa requirement
for the citizens of the EU member states and the signatories of
the Schengen Agreement. We hope that all present here and thousands
of citizens of your countries will utilize this new opportunity of
visiting Armenia freely.
We have initiated development of the agenda for comprehensive reforms,
which will result in a much more efficient system of governance. For
the implementation of these goals, Armenia needs considerable financial
assistance from the European Union. Towards this end, together with
the European Commission we have been jointly conducting preparations
work for the organization of the donors' conference for Armenia.
Dear Colleagues,
Our country is getting ready for the presidential elections. The
parliamentary elections that took place in Armenia last spring
were assessed by the international observers as the best since
independence. The authorities of the Republic of Armenia are determined
to transform registered progress into a firm trend and to hold free,
fair, transparent and democratic presidential elections. To achieve
that we are conducting preliminary works stemming from the conclusions
and proposals of the OSCE/ODIHR. There is no need to say that this time
again we expect active participation of the international observers.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Security of the South Caucasus region is an indivisible part of the
European security. We see no alternative to the process of a peaceful
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh problem in the framework of the OSCE
Minsk Group. Recently, Azerbaijan challenged the the entire civilized
human society by glorifying a murderer extradited by the EU member
state. It's been proved time and again that xenophobia constitutes
the official policy of that country and presents an immediate threat
to the security of the people of Nagorno Karabakh.
Dear Colleagues,
The financial and economic crisis is a serious threat to the EU and
to its partner states. Crisis of such magnitude cannot be defeated
single-handedly. The EPP Summit motto this year is very relevant; the
response to this challenge is "more Europe", the response is a more
consolidated Europe, and a stronger commitment to the European ideas
and solidarity. Only such Europe will be able to overcome the current
financial and economic crisis and open a new window of opportunities
for the prosperity of our societies.
Thank you.
From: A. Papazian