Republican Party of Armenia

 On September 12 the EU Advisory Group summed up the works implemented in the EU approximation and administration and EU-Armenia Parliamentary sphere. The goal of the event was to present the outcomes and stress the main problems, as a result of which, the RA NA work will be improved. The Chair of the RA NA Standing Committee on European Integration Naira Zohrabyan, the Chairman of the RA NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Artak Zakaryan and the Political Adviser of the EU Delegation to Armenia Andrey Didenko took part in the meeting.

The Chair of the RA NA Standing Committee on European Integration Naira Zohrabyan in her word noted that the EU Advisory Group had been functioning in Armenia since 2009 and had actively worked with the parliament. Ms Zohrabyan expressed that due to the efforts of the EU Advisory Group the RA NA factions had been integrated in the EU political parties’ family.

The Chairman of the RA NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Artak Zakaryan highlighted the fact that the members of the EU Advisory Group had actively worked in deepening the cooperation. He noted that the RA would continue its commitment within the framework of the Eastern Partnership and create bases for new cooperation. Artak Zakaryan has expressed hope that the final event is the summarization of the next phase.

The Political Adviser of the EU Delegation to Armenia Andrey Didenko noted that the EU would continue to remain adhered to the implementation of the European integration process in Armenia.

The Adviser of the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation Kaya Krawczyk stressed the necessity of strengthening of ties between the RA NA and EU national parliaments and the establishment of the forum, where Armenia could present its stance. She proposed to make inner changes to get adapted to the structure of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly and create opportunities of cooperation for the representatives of the EU national parliaments. Mrs Krawczyk has stressed that it is necessary to find solutions for creation of the administrative assistance system in inter-parliamentary cooperation regarding the EU issues.

The Adviser of the EU Approximation and Administration Ilmars Solims noted that the existing supervision instruments should be used more effectively. The RA National Assembly should focus on the EU financial assistance, especially directly on the budgetary assistance oversight. He presented a series of recommendations for the improvement of the oversight on the government activities in the sphere of the EU integration, on the monitoring of the EU assistance programmes and legal approximation. The Adviser also noted the necessity of the establishment of a centre for visitors’ reception and information.