Armenia deserves praise as EaP member, Bulgarian MEP saysApril 18, 2012 - 23:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia, as a member of the EU's Eastern Partnership initiative, deserves praise for the progress in the ties with the Union, according to Bulgarian MEP Kristian Vigenin. As novinite.com reports, Vigenin, who is the Co-Chair of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, the parliamentary component of the proposed Eastern Partnership consisting of members of the European Parliament and Parliaments of Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, spoke Wednesday, April 18 during a debate at the European Parliament. "It's important not only to criticize, but also to recognize the progress of the nations," Vigenin stated, adding that the EP foreign relations committee has adopted its reports on Armenia and Azerbaijan almost unanimously, and that he expects a similar vote at the Parliament itself. The Bulgarian MEP noted Armenia's progress in its legislative reforms, and its ambition to hold the most democratic elections in its history on May 6, 2012. He emphasized that the swift progress in the talks for Armenia's association agreement with the EU indicates that the Caucasus state relies on expanding its ties with the Union. Vigenin also believes that the EU can help build trust between Armenia and Azerbaijan in order to help resolve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. He stressed the importance of the recent Euronest assembly meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan's capital, with the full-fledged participation of the Armenian delegation. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” |