Deputy Speaker Arshakyan, European Parliament’s Vice President discuss Armenia-EU agenda

Vice Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Hakob Arshakyan met with the Vice President of the European Parliament Nicolae Ștefănuță on the sidelines of the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Hakob Arshakyan thanked the European Parliament for its unwavering and firm support for the issues of concern to Armenia and the Armenian people, the parliament’s press service said in a readout. 

Arshakyan noted that the European Parliament, through its numerous statements and resolutions, has expressed its impartial and fair position on the important challenges facing Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. The statements and resolutions of the EP “unequivocally uphold international law, in particular, on the violations of Armenia’s sovereign territory, the urgent need to release the Armenian prisoners of war and the detained persons, the urgent need to protect the Armenian cultural and religious heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh, and other issues, demonstrating its commitment to universal values: justice, security, peace, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms,” according to the readout. 

The Vice Speaker attached importance to the issue of visa liberalisation with the EU countries, which will serve both the bilateral movement of citizens, the development of socio-cultural, and economic relations.

The Vice-President of the European Parliament Nicolae Ștefănuță expressed interest in the security situation around Armenia, welcomed the completion of negotiations on the text of the Peace Agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, expressing hope that the document will be signed as soon as possible.

He expressed support for efforts aimed at assisting refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh.

During the meeting, the interlocutors discussed issues regarding the Armenia-EU agenda, deepening relations, and new opportunities for expanding cooperation in various fields.