Armenia hopes for new envoy’s experience to strengthen ties with EU

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met with the newly appointed European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, ambassador Philippe Lefort.

President Sargsyan congratulated amb. Lefort on the new post and expressed hope that his large experience and awareness of the region will facilitate strengthening of the EU-Armenia ties. The President also praised the cooperation with the EU and its efforts in implementation of reforms in the country, the presidential press service reported.

Lefort’s visit to Yerevan on September 7 was preceded by visits to the capitals of Azerbaijan and Georgia as part of his first regional visit.

Philippe Lefort was appointed as EUSR for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia by Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in late August. Later came reports on Lefort extending the mandate. It encompasses contributing to the peaceful resolution of conflicts in line with international law norms and implementation of agreements in coordination with the UN, OSCE and Minsk Group.

The EUSR’s mandate also envisages fostering ties with governments, parliaments and other key political entities, juridical authorities and civil communities, encouraging the countries of the region to collaborate on issues of mutual concern, combating terrorism, illegal trafficking and organized crime.

Philippe Lefort was French ambassador to Georgia (2004-2007) and deputy head of mission at the French embassy in Russia (2007-2010). Since 2010 he has been head of the Continental Europe Department at the French Foreign Ministry.