YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. The Republic of Armenia delegation headed by Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian participated in the 16th meeting of Armenia-EU Cooperation Council held in Brussels on January 18. “Armenpress” reports the aforementioned, referring to the Department of Press, Information and Public Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.

The EU delegation was headed by Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Bert Koenders and European Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations Commissioner Johannes Hahn who represent the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The Armenian delegation comprised Head of Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the European Union Ambassador Tatoul Markarian, First Deputy Minister of Economy Garegin Melkonyan, Deputy Minister of Justice Vigen Kocharyan.

During the 16th meeting of Armenia-EU Cooperation Council presided by Armenia Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, issues related to political dialogue, negotiations on a new framework agreement between Armenia and the EU, that would adequately reflect the depth and essence of the partnership, mobility, human rights, pace of reforms were discussed.

Opening the sitting, Nalbandian said:

“2015 was a special year for the Armenia-EU cooperation. We witnessed high level visits, an intense and constructive dialogue with an impressive number of bilateral meetings, simultaneous negotiations on Armenia- EU agreements in various areas.”

Last month’s launch of the negotiations on a new legal framework of Armenia – EU relations was a new threshold in our relations. We hope that the new agreement will reflect the depth and essence of our bilateral relations and set new guidelines for mutually beneficial cooperation.

Nalbandian expressed his appreciation to the EU for its continued support and assistance provided to our country over the years which have been instrumental for the effective implementation and sustainability of the reform process and institutional capacity building in Armenia.

The Republic of Armenia Foreign Minister attached great importance to people to people contacts, and the enhanced mobility of the citizens as an important prerequisite for bringing our societies closer. He also emphasized that it is almost two years now that the EU-Armenia Visa Facilitation and Readmission agreements are being implemented.

First Deputy Minister of Economy Garegin Melkonyan and Deputy Minister of Justice Vigen Kocharyan informed in their speeches about the Government’s economic policy, reforms implemented in the justice system, as well as the results of cooperation with the EU in the sectors of justice and economy in 2015.

Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian presented his European colleagues the worldwide events on Armenian Genocide centennial, which were marked last year. He also took the opportunity to express gratitude to the European Parliament, EU countries for their principled position on this issue and expressions of support and sympathy to Armenia. He also talked about Armenia’s active engagement in efforts of international community on prevention of genocides and crimes against humanity, thanking the EU countries for their support to Armenian initiatives within the UN formats.

Edward Nalbandian also briefed the Council on latest developments related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and in particular on the results of the meeting between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Bern. He emphasized that the agenda of that summit was dictated by the escalation of situation as a result of Azerbaijan’s provocations, gross violations of cease-fire regime. Foreign Minister Nalbandian added that, unfortunately, the relative calmness in the conflict area has ended with resumption of gross violations of cease-fire regime by Azerbaijan.

The participants of the Council meeting also touched upon regional security issues and other topics of international political agenda.