Republican Party of Armenia

At the press conference held on January 16 members of the delegation, the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Artak Zakaryan and the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs Koryun Nahapetyan summed up the results of the visit of the delegation led by the RA NA President Hovik Abrahamyan to Brussels on January 8-10.

Artak Zakaryan said that during the meetings of the NA President and the members of the delegation with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle, the Head of the CoE EPP faction Joseph Daul, the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz and the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy. Different issues regarding the existing problems on the RA political agenda, the priorities of the foreign policy, the activation of the EU-RA relations, parliamentary cooperation and regional problems were discussed. They discussed issues concerning the development of the parliamentary relations of the two countries, as well as issues of bilateral interest with the President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Belgium Sabine de Bethune and the President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives André Flahaut. By the assessment of the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, the meetings were held in warm atmosphere and had been effective.

Artak Zakaryan also touched upon the creation ceremony of the European Union-Armenia Friendship Group, noticing that the creation of the group was an important format of the parliamentary diplomacy and could play an important role in activation of the EU-RA rapprochement policy. He said that 31 members of the European Parliament were included in the Group, and its number could increase later. In the talk with the MEPs the common verges of cooperation had already been pre-indicated, and the delegation had also initiated the visit of the Group to Armenia.

The Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations said that during the meetings the NA President Hovik Abrahamyan talked about the steady steps taken by Armenia’s European Integration, need of rapprochement policy and the resoluteness of making closer the cooperation with the EU, at the same time he underlined that the Armenian-Russian political, economic and strategic-partnership relations would be continuous, and in the foreign policy Armenia would not condition by one another, which the EU officials accepted with perception.

The Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs Koryun Nahapetyan also highlighted the visit to Brussels, assessed the meetings effective and mutually beneficial. He said that during the meetings the issue of creating the Association Agreement and Deep Comprehensive Free Trade Area, and an agreement was recahed to bring to an end the negotiations until the Vilnius Summit to be held in the autumn of 2013.

Touching upon the works going on within the Euronest frameowrk and the active role of Armenia in that structure, the NA President proposed to hold the Euronest pleancy session in Yerevan in 2014.

Koryun Nahapetyan noted that the NA President and the President of the European Parliament made a joint statement, highlighting the activation of the EU-RA cooperation, its impact on Armenia’s economic development, strengthening of democracy and inner reforms. It was noted that the Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements had been signed between Armenia and European Union. Armenia has been adherent to its promise, and the EU citizens’ had been given opportunity to enter into Armenia without visa. The NA President had expressed hope that the European Parliament also soon ratify the Visa Facilitation to the European Union countries, which would pave a path for the liberalization of that process.

The issue of the presidential elections in the RA to be held on February 18 was also discussed. The NA President has assured that the Armenian authorities have political will for holding free, fair election in accordance with European standards. The sides also touched upon and the Karabakh conflict and the situation in the region.

By Koryun Nahapetyan’s assessment, Armenia’s commitment of making reforms in all spheres, the rapprochement of the relations with the EU will promote inner democratic processes.

Artak Zakaryan and Koryun Nahapetyanalso answered the journalists’ questions.