Armenia seeks to launch visa elimination talks with EU: FMJuly 23, 2014 - 18:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian attended the Brussels-hosted meeting of Foreign Ministers of the EU and Eastern Partnership states on July 22. Also present at the meeting were the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle, Armenian Foreign Ministry website reported. In a speech delivered at the event, Nalbandian welcomed progress in Armenia-EU ties over the last years, stressing intention to further develop cooperation. Nalbandian noted the significant role of EU’s consistent assistance and support in implementation of reforms in Armenia, strengthening of democracy and institutional capacities. The Minister further stressed expanding mobility between the societies as a common goal, with Armenia seeking to launch a dialogue on introduction of visa-free regime based on successful experience of EU-Armenia visa facilitation and readmission agreements. The official also noted the importance of the Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement on the basic principles for Armenia’s participation in various EU programs and expansion of bilateral sectoral cooperation. Nalbandian further slammed Turkey’s continuous blockade of the border with Armenia, thus hindering normalization of bilateral relations and use of transport and communication routes between Armenia and the EU. Dwelling on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, Nalbandian noted that unlike Azerbaijan, Armenia consistently reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of the international law. He also expressed regret for the absence of political will in Azerbaijan, with the country persistently rejecting all proposals by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. In conclusion, the official thanked the European Union for its unequivocal support to the efforts of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs in finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Eastern Partnership The Eastern Partnership (EaP) is the first comprehensive initiative introduced into the system of the European Union’s external relations, addressed to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The Eastern Partnership is designed to help the countries of Eastern Europe and South Caucasus with their approximation to and integration with the European Union. The EaP has injected a new quality into relations between the EU and the countries covered by the initiative through their gradual integration with the European Union. 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.” |