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EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARIANS COMPLAINED TO ASHTON ABOUT THE EU DELEGATION IN ARMENIA
http://armenpress.am/eng/news/724809/european-parliamentarians-complained-to-ashton-about-the-eu-delegation-in-armenia.html
10:11, 3 July, 2013
YEREVAN, 2 JULY, ARMENPRESS: Several Members of European Parliament
expressed concerns to High Representative of the European Union
for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton about the
activities of EU delegation in Armenia.
"Armenpress" reports calling the official website of European
Parliament that such concerns expressed MEPs from Spain Jose Ignacio
Salafranca and Lithuanian MEP Laima Andrikiene. In the letter Jose
Ignacio Salafranca has written:
"With regard to the excellent level of relations established between
the European Union and Armenia, which will soon be consolidated with
the signing of the Association Agreement between the two parties,
I should like, first of all, to highlight the enormous progress that
has been achieved in the last two years.
Furthermore, Parliament has displayed, in various resolutions, its
support for the superb initiative to deploy in this country the EU
Advisory Group, which has played a defining role in this progress.
However, since the beginning of 2012, the constant interference
from the European Union Delegation in Armenia, and the deliberate
marginalisation of national institutions from decision making,
in complete contradiction to the philosophy and legal basis of the
project, are seriously undermining the effectiveness of this excellent
cooperation format.
In addition, this unacceptable attitude, which is not representative
of the admirable level of understanding reached with this country,
is generating a profound sense of unease in the Head of Government,
as well as in the Armenian Parliament, which could affect all of
our relations.
What measures does the European External Action Service (EEAS) intend
to take in order to contain this situation and regain the trust of
the Armenian institutions?
How does it intend to instruct the European Union Delegation in
Armenia so as to avoid similar actions which completely contradict
the spirit of our relations?
What actions is the Commission proposing in order to re-establish the
legitimate involvement of the Armenian authorities in the decision
making of the EU Advisory Group, and how could this effective
cooperation tool be strengthened?"
Lithuanian deputy said the following:
"As a Member of the European Parliament and a Euronest Parliamentary
Assembly committee Chair who closely monitors EU-Armenia relations,
I am very pleased with the progress made by this South Caucasus
country, and aware of the important role that the EU Advisory Group
to the Republic of Armenia has played in it. I have witnessed the
contribution made by this important cooperation project in the last
three years, and Parliament has underlined its support for the EU
Advisory Group in four resolutions adopted during the current term.
I am also well aware of the importance accorded to this project by
Armenian state institutions and of the high level of interaction they
now have with the advisers in the EU Advisory Group.
However, I have learned from our Armenian colleagues that during
the last 12 months the EU Delegation has deliberately excluded
Armenian state institutions from the decision-making process for
this agreement-driven project, a situation that is contrary not only
to the spirit of our relations but also to the legal base of the EU
Advisory Group.
This unacceptable and erratic management by the EU Delegation, which
does not correspond to the level of understanding reached with Armenia,
has resulted in the loss of all the key advisers in the EU Advisory
Group and created worrisome and unnecessary discontent in Armenian
state institutions, which could undermine our wider relations.
1. What remedial action is the Commission going to take to stop this
situation and genuinely involve Armenian state institutions once
again in the EU Advisory Group's decisionâ~@~Pmaking process?
2. How is the Commission going to monitor the EU Delegation's
management of this flagship project in order to avoid such
irresponsible actions, which are absolutely contrary to the spirit
of our friendly relations?
3. How can this effective cooperation tool be reinforced?".
The response of High Representative of the European Union for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton runs as follows:
"The HR/VP fully shares the view that EUAG has been an excellent
cooperation instrument in the EU relations with Armenia.
The HR/VP would like to assure you that there has been no intended
suppression or restriction of advisory support. The mandate of the EU
Delegation in the management and oversight of the project is clearly
defined, as is the role of UNDP as the implementing partner. In case
currently perceived problems, mentioned in the honourable member's
question, would persist, the HR/VP would be grateful for these being
brought again to her attention.
The HR/VP would also like to re-assure you that in view of forthcoming
new stage of relations between EU and Armenia, governed by the
Association Agreement, the EU plans to further increase its advisory
support to the Armenian side in the framework of the project. As
an example, an additional seconded post of advisor to the National
Assembly has been published in order to assist the Armenian parliament
in increasing its institutional capacities to tackle the task of
approximation with EU legislation.
Regarding the legitimate and appropriate involvement of the Armenian
authorities in the management of the project, it is assured in the
framework of the Advisory Board of the EU Advisory Group. It is the
project body when involves the beneficiaries directly in the decision
making. The board meets on a quarterly basis and its decisions are
considered mandatory. Within its framework, the beneficiaries have
been consistently consulted on reports, work plans and have also
participated in the selection committees of advisors."
The EU Advisory Group is to assist the Armenian authorities in the
preparation of a process to negotiate, conclude and implement an
Association Agreement with the European Union, including setting up
a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA
http://armenpress.am/eng/news/724809/european-parliamentarians-complained-to-ashton-about-the-eu-delegation-in-armenia.html
10:11, 3 July, 2013
YEREVAN, 2 JULY, ARMENPRESS: Several Members of European Parliament
expressed concerns to High Representative of the European Union
for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton about the
activities of EU delegation in Armenia.
"Armenpress" reports calling the official website of European
Parliament that such concerns expressed MEPs from Spain Jose Ignacio
Salafranca and Lithuanian MEP Laima Andrikiene. In the letter Jose
Ignacio Salafranca has written:
"With regard to the excellent level of relations established between
the European Union and Armenia, which will soon be consolidated with
the signing of the Association Agreement between the two parties,
I should like, first of all, to highlight the enormous progress that
has been achieved in the last two years.
Furthermore, Parliament has displayed, in various resolutions, its
support for the superb initiative to deploy in this country the EU
Advisory Group, which has played a defining role in this progress.
However, since the beginning of 2012, the constant interference
from the European Union Delegation in Armenia, and the deliberate
marginalisation of national institutions from decision making,
in complete contradiction to the philosophy and legal basis of the
project, are seriously undermining the effectiveness of this excellent
cooperation format.
In addition, this unacceptable attitude, which is not representative
of the admirable level of understanding reached with this country,
is generating a profound sense of unease in the Head of Government,
as well as in the Armenian Parliament, which could affect all of
our relations.
What measures does the European External Action Service (EEAS) intend
to take in order to contain this situation and regain the trust of
the Armenian institutions?
How does it intend to instruct the European Union Delegation in
Armenia so as to avoid similar actions which completely contradict
the spirit of our relations?
What actions is the Commission proposing in order to re-establish the
legitimate involvement of the Armenian authorities in the decision
making of the EU Advisory Group, and how could this effective
cooperation tool be strengthened?"
Lithuanian deputy said the following:
"As a Member of the European Parliament and a Euronest Parliamentary
Assembly committee Chair who closely monitors EU-Armenia relations,
I am very pleased with the progress made by this South Caucasus
country, and aware of the important role that the EU Advisory Group
to the Republic of Armenia has played in it. I have witnessed the
contribution made by this important cooperation project in the last
three years, and Parliament has underlined its support for the EU
Advisory Group in four resolutions adopted during the current term.
I am also well aware of the importance accorded to this project by
Armenian state institutions and of the high level of interaction they
now have with the advisers in the EU Advisory Group.
However, I have learned from our Armenian colleagues that during
the last 12 months the EU Delegation has deliberately excluded
Armenian state institutions from the decision-making process for
this agreement-driven project, a situation that is contrary not only
to the spirit of our relations but also to the legal base of the EU
Advisory Group.
This unacceptable and erratic management by the EU Delegation, which
does not correspond to the level of understanding reached with Armenia,
has resulted in the loss of all the key advisers in the EU Advisory
Group and created worrisome and unnecessary discontent in Armenian
state institutions, which could undermine our wider relations.
1. What remedial action is the Commission going to take to stop this
situation and genuinely involve Armenian state institutions once
again in the EU Advisory Group's decisionâ~@~Pmaking process?
2. How is the Commission going to monitor the EU Delegation's
management of this flagship project in order to avoid such
irresponsible actions, which are absolutely contrary to the spirit
of our friendly relations?
3. How can this effective cooperation tool be reinforced?".
The response of High Representative of the European Union for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton runs as follows:
"The HR/VP fully shares the view that EUAG has been an excellent
cooperation instrument in the EU relations with Armenia.
The HR/VP would like to assure you that there has been no intended
suppression or restriction of advisory support. The mandate of the EU
Delegation in the management and oversight of the project is clearly
defined, as is the role of UNDP as the implementing partner. In case
currently perceived problems, mentioned in the honourable member's
question, would persist, the HR/VP would be grateful for these being
brought again to her attention.
The HR/VP would also like to re-assure you that in view of forthcoming
new stage of relations between EU and Armenia, governed by the
Association Agreement, the EU plans to further increase its advisory
support to the Armenian side in the framework of the project. As
an example, an additional seconded post of advisor to the National
Assembly has been published in order to assist the Armenian parliament
in increasing its institutional capacities to tackle the task of
approximation with EU legislation.
Regarding the legitimate and appropriate involvement of the Armenian
authorities in the management of the project, it is assured in the
framework of the Advisory Board of the EU Advisory Group. It is the
project body when involves the beneficiaries directly in the decision
making. The board meets on a quarterly basis and its decisions are
considered mandatory. Within its framework, the beneficiaries have
been consistently consulted on reports, work plans and have also
participated in the selection committees of advisors."
The EU Advisory Group is to assist the Armenian authorities in the
preparation of a process to negotiate, conclude and implement an
Association Agreement with the European Union, including setting up
a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA