Tweet
CLOSED BORDERS COUNTER THE ESSENCE OF EU VALUES, ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TELLS EPP SUMMIT
12:37 12.07.2013
EPP, Serzh Sargsyan
President Serzh Sargsyan, who is in the Republic of Moldova on a
working visit, participated at the Third Summit of the European
People's Party (EPP) Eastern Partnership Leaders. At the Summit
discussed were issues related to the agenda of the Eastern Partnership
as well as the preparatory works for the summit in Vilnius.
At the Summit, President Serzh Sargsyan made a statement. He spoke
about cooperation in the framework of Eastern Partnership, the
process of fulfillment of the obligations which Armenia assumed by
joining this partnership initiative, and reforms being implemented
in our country. In the context of regional developments, President
Sargsyan spoke about the unacceptability of the Azerbaijani policies of
translating energy cooperation into energy dictate which silences even
explicit cases of violation of human rights and democratic principles.
Serzh Sargsyan referred also to the illegal blockade of Armenia and
underscored that closed borders as a phenomenon counters the very
essence of the European Union and its system of values.
In the framework of the Summit, President Sargsyan participated also at
the joint press conference. He spoke about the results of discussions
and presented Armenia's position on a number of issues which are
critical for Armenia. Serzh Sargsyan assessed discussions held at the
Summit as effectual and constructive. He expressed confidence that
the Summit has had its positive contribution toward the achievement
of the EPP's as well as Eastern Partnership objectives. "First of all,
I would like to thank the Moldovan side for hosting this Summit. Only
months ago, in Yerevan we hosted a similar event and we are grateful
to Mr. Martens for establishing this tradition and format of Eastern
Partnership Summits.
An important element of Eurointegration processes for the partner
states is the interaction with the European political parties,
political culture and finally, rapprochement of the systems of values.
The European People's Party plays an important role in the
dissemination of the European identity and in deepening cooperation
with the partner states.
Today, we have discussed agenda issues of Eastern Partnership as well
as issues related to the preparatory works for Vilnius Summit. For us,
these are very tangible, concrete issues. To be efficient, Eastern
Partnership should be comprehensible and lucid for each citizen of a
participating state. We also should asked ourselves how this or that
agreement makes the life for citizens easier, how it changes the life
quality for the citizens of Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia.
Regardless of whether it comes as economic advancement, political
stability, or stronger democracy, our citizens should see clearly
what they get from this process.
Cooperation formed during Eastern Partnership's four-year existence
demonstrates that it holds great potential for deepening regional
cooperation and partnership. In our understanding, Eastern Partnership
in its essence is an initiative aimed at creating cooperation and
not contradictions; it is not directed against any state or a group
of states. This Partnership is aimed at the final elimination of
dividing lines.
In the framework of the Partnership, Armenia attaches the utmost
importance to ending the practice of keeping borders closed. The
Agreement on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade, which is currently
being negotiated with the European Union, will not be functioning
properly after entering into force, if the Armenian-Turkish border
remains closed as it is today. We believe that the European Union
should take the issue of closed borders very seriously since as long
as there are closed borders, trade with the EU Tax Union cannot
be efficient," President Serzh Sargsyan said at the joint press
conference.
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/07/12/closed-borders-counter-the-essence-of-eu-values-armenian-president-tells-at-epp-summit/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
12:37 12.07.2013
EPP, Serzh Sargsyan
President Serzh Sargsyan, who is in the Republic of Moldova on a
working visit, participated at the Third Summit of the European
People's Party (EPP) Eastern Partnership Leaders. At the Summit
discussed were issues related to the agenda of the Eastern Partnership
as well as the preparatory works for the summit in Vilnius.
At the Summit, President Serzh Sargsyan made a statement. He spoke
about cooperation in the framework of Eastern Partnership, the
process of fulfillment of the obligations which Armenia assumed by
joining this partnership initiative, and reforms being implemented
in our country. In the context of regional developments, President
Sargsyan spoke about the unacceptability of the Azerbaijani policies of
translating energy cooperation into energy dictate which silences even
explicit cases of violation of human rights and democratic principles.
Serzh Sargsyan referred also to the illegal blockade of Armenia and
underscored that closed borders as a phenomenon counters the very
essence of the European Union and its system of values.
In the framework of the Summit, President Sargsyan participated also at
the joint press conference. He spoke about the results of discussions
and presented Armenia's position on a number of issues which are
critical for Armenia. Serzh Sargsyan assessed discussions held at the
Summit as effectual and constructive. He expressed confidence that
the Summit has had its positive contribution toward the achievement
of the EPP's as well as Eastern Partnership objectives. "First of all,
I would like to thank the Moldovan side for hosting this Summit. Only
months ago, in Yerevan we hosted a similar event and we are grateful
to Mr. Martens for establishing this tradition and format of Eastern
Partnership Summits.
An important element of Eurointegration processes for the partner
states is the interaction with the European political parties,
political culture and finally, rapprochement of the systems of values.
The European People's Party plays an important role in the
dissemination of the European identity and in deepening cooperation
with the partner states.
Today, we have discussed agenda issues of Eastern Partnership as well
as issues related to the preparatory works for Vilnius Summit. For us,
these are very tangible, concrete issues. To be efficient, Eastern
Partnership should be comprehensible and lucid for each citizen of a
participating state. We also should asked ourselves how this or that
agreement makes the life for citizens easier, how it changes the life
quality for the citizens of Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia.
Regardless of whether it comes as economic advancement, political
stability, or stronger democracy, our citizens should see clearly
what they get from this process.
Cooperation formed during Eastern Partnership's four-year existence
demonstrates that it holds great potential for deepening regional
cooperation and partnership. In our understanding, Eastern Partnership
in its essence is an initiative aimed at creating cooperation and
not contradictions; it is not directed against any state or a group
of states. This Partnership is aimed at the final elimination of
dividing lines.
In the framework of the Partnership, Armenia attaches the utmost
importance to ending the practice of keeping borders closed. The
Agreement on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade, which is currently
being negotiated with the European Union, will not be functioning
properly after entering into force, if the Armenian-Turkish border
remains closed as it is today. We believe that the European Union
should take the issue of closed borders very seriously since as long
as there are closed borders, trade with the EU Tax Union cannot
be efficient," President Serzh Sargsyan said at the joint press
conference.
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/07/12/closed-borders-counter-the-essence-of-eu-values-armenian-president-tells-at-epp-summit/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress