European Commission authorized to start talks with ArmeniaOctober 13, 2015 - 11:11 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union and Armenia will start negotiating on the formation of a new legal framework for the development of bilateral relations, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry said in a tweet on Monday, October 12, according to RFE/RL Armenian Service. “The EU Foreign Affairs Council has authorized the European Commission to launch negotiations with Armenia,” Tigran Balayan announced. The new deal between the EU and Armenia is expected to cover certain areas of political and economic cooperation, without “hindering Armenia’s membership commitments to the EEU.” Hosting the European Council President Donald Tusk in Yerevan in July, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said: “I can’t imagine Armenia’s development without reforms and I can’t imagine reforms in Armenia without European experience and assistance. Therefore, while being a member of the EEU, we will continue to closely cooperate with the EU.” “Armenia can count on the European Union's continued support to develop and improve protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” Tusk said, in turn. Top stories The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. London’s Armenian community has been left feeling “under attack” after the city’s Genocide monument was vandalised. The United States believes there should be an international mission to provide transparency. Partner news | Armenia: Opposition activist transferred to Investigative Committee Activist Samvel Vardanyan has been accused of insulting the lawmaker Hakob Aslanyan from the ruling Civil Contract party. Russia confirms start of withdrawal of peacekeepers from Karabakh The Kremlin has confirmed reports about the start of the withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping forces in Karabakh. France recalls its ambassador to Azerbaijan France on April 16 said it had recalled for consultations the French ambassador to Azerbaijan. Protesters rally as Georgia debates 'foreign agent' bill Georgian critics label the bill "the Russian law", comparing it to legislation used by the Kremlin to crack down on dissent. |