EU SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT ARMENIA "PASSED THE TEST" AND IT "WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE CLOSER TO THE EU"
Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
May 15 2007
Yerevan, May 15. /Mediamax/. EU Special Representative in the South
Caucasus Peter Semneby stated in an exclusive interview to Mediamax
that Armenia "passed the test" and "will continue to move closer to
the EU".
Peter Semneby said this, commenting on Mediamax’s request on his
previous statements, according to which the elections in Armenia would
become an important "test" for the relations with the EU, as they would
be the first ones after the start of the implementation of the Action
Plan within the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP).
"Yes, Armenia passed the test, which gives a good base for continuing
to develop the partnership with the EU in the way we have envisaged.
The high degree of interest in the election was a particularly
encouraging proof of what appears to be a growing political and civic
engagement", the EU Special representative stated.
At the same time, Peter Semneby reminded in an interview to Mediamax
that "Armenia has not received a perfect mark".
"The observer missions noticed some remaining problems, which ought
to be eliminated before the presidential election next year. In
particular, there was often no distinction between the ruling party and
the State. There were also too many problems with the vote counting",
Peter Semneby stated.
The Special Representative of the European Union expressed hope
that the new members of the Armenian parliament will be committed to
"making the parliament a forum for a vital and dynamic debate on the
future direction of the country".
"The joint commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law
is a cornerstone for the partnership between Armenia and the EU. I
am confident that Armenia will continue to move closer to the EU",
Peter Semneby stated in an exclusive interview to Mediamax.