European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner described the singing of the EU Action Plans with the South Caucasian states as 'a new stage'. "We are launching a new stage. We want to convey our values - human rights, democracy and rule of law - to these states. We also consider their wishes. It's important for us to encourage regional cooperation," she told RFE/RL. For his part, EU Envoy for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby also commented on the Armenia-EU Action Plan. "The European Neighborhood Policy will allocate finances and these funds should be used for reformation of Armenia and Azerbaijani in order to bring them closer to European standards," he said. The EU will also closely watch the forthcoming parliamentary and presidential election in Armenia and Azerbaijan which will become an important exam for the republics.