European Union's President Herman Van Rompuy confirmed the EU’s “strategic interest in stability, prosperity and development of democracy in our eastern neighborhood.”

“The Eastern Partnership is a powerful vehicle for bringing the countries involved closer to the EU and each other,” he said after a meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan. “The EU-Armenia relations are strengthening, the negotiations directed for ambitious association agreement have been adopted by the EU. We are looking forward to start negotiations shortly, including a deep and comprehensive free trade area. This will facilitate EU investments in Armenia and allow Armenian business better access to the EU internal market.”

“We hope to move forward for visa facilitation and readmission issues as well as soon as possible. I emphasized our hope that our strengthening of relation with Armenia is going to stimulus to Armenia to deliver more on democratic reforms. Upcoming negotiation for the future association agreement will create addition leverage for internal reform and make available EU financial and technical support. We encourage Armenia to make full use of this opportunity to advance its reform agenda,” Mr. Van Rompuy said.

Touching on the Karabakh process, he said, “I confirmed the EU’s commitment to peace and security in the Caucasus through contributing to the resolution of the protracted conflict. The region will not be safe until this conflict is resolved by peaceful means and on the basis of principles of international law.”

He also said that the EU continues to support the Armenian-Turkish normalization process within a reasonable time frame and without preconditions, PanARMENIAN.Net correspondent reported from Brussels.

“I’m pleased that Armenia decided to stay committed to pursue the process of normalization and I recognize the President’s personal political courage on this issue. The EU encourages both Armenia and Turkey to stay committed to this historical process,” the EU President concluded.