Euro integration remains priority direction of Armenia's foreign policy, Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian stated at today's news conference on the results of the MFA activities in 2005. In his words, the process is very important to Armenia from the point of view of political and economic reforms. "When having the long-term purpose of accession to the EU, each step on the way of Euro integration promotes elements of jural state and market economy taking roots in our country," the Armenian FM added. In his words, the beginning of talks over the EU-Armenia Action Plan was a notable progress in bilateral relations within the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) in 2005. The European Commission made public a report on Armenia and a Statement on approval of the Action Plan. The first round of talks was held in Yerevan past November and the EU and Armenia assessed it as a positive one. During the Armenia- EU Troika meeting in Brussels in December the parties expressed readiness to complete further adjustment of the Action Plan in the second round of talks scheduled in early 2006.

According to V. Oskanian, meetings of institutional bodies, the Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation provides for, were held. Prospects of cooperation within the ENP, the Karabakh settlement and other matters were discussed at it. In the Armenian FM's words, active political dialogue continued between Armenia and the EU. Its major topics were the Karabakh settlement, full inclusion of Armenia's railways in the regional system without additional expenses (Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi), opening of the Armenian border within the context of the talks on Turkey's accession to the EU. Armenian President R. Kocharian visited Brussels past October and had a number of meetings with European top officials. EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Heikki Talvitie paid three visits to Armenia in 2005. Besides, EU Troika led by British Government representative to the South Caucasus Brian Fall visited Yerevan in October.