Sargsyan met with President of the European Parliament Martin Schult

Serzh Sargsyan met with the President of the European Parliament Martin Schultz

armradio.am
07.03.2012 16:13

President Serzh Sargsyan, who continues his working visit to the
Kingdom of Belgium, met today with the President of the European
Parliament Martin Schultz. At the conclusion of the meeting, the
President of Armenia and President of the European Parliament made a
joint statement for the representatives of the mass media.

President Sargsyan congratulated Martin Schultz on his election as
President of the European Parliament and expressed confidence that
during his tenure the relations between Armenia and the EU would
register new success both on the parliamentary and executive levels.

‘We attach importance to the European Parliament’s role in the context
of deepening Armenia-EU cooperation. The Armenia-EU interparliamentary
relations develop dynamically both on bilateral – RA National
Assembly- European Parliament, and on the multilateral level, in the
format of the Parliamentary Assembly of Eastern Partnership –
Euronest.

Quite recently, on February 22-23, the Committee on Social Affairs,
Education, Culture and Civil Society of the Parliamentary Assembly of
Euronest held its meeting in Yerevan and it was the first meeting
conducted in a partner state. We are confident that Euronest will
become a platform which can create good opportunities for the
bilateral interparliamentary ties as well as for the exchange of the
best practices of the European parliamentarism. We were also glad to
host in the same period of time the delegation of the Foreign
Relations Commission of the European Parliament.

With President Schulz, we have discussed a wide range of issues
present on the agenda of Armenia-EU relations. I have presented to Mr.
Schulz our commitment to the implementation of wide reforms in our
country, and spoke about targeted assistance measures undertaken by
the European Commission and the Government of Armenia and aimed at the
enhancement of the reforms.

Both sides noted with satisfaction progress registered recently in our
relations with EU, including in the areas of the Association
Agreement, Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, visa
facilitation with the EU countries and cooperation in other areas.

We have also spoken about the approaching parliamentary elections in
Armenia. I have stated that we are determined to organize and conduct
electoral processes in accordance with the European and international
standards. I am pleased that along with other international observers,
the elections in Armenia will also be observed by the observer mission
of the European Parliament.

I informed President Schulz on the latest developments in the NK peace
process. We welcomed recommendations recently adopted by the EU
Council which note the necessity for the representatives of the
European Union to visit Nagorno Karabakh. Armenia has stated many
times that Nagorno Karabakh is part of Europe, a carrier of the same
values and the time for direct contacts has come long ago,’ President
Sargsyan stated.

In response to the question on how the President of Armenia views
intentions and attempts to conduct discussions and adopt resolutions
on the Karabakh issue in the European structures, particularly in the
European Parliament, President Serzh Sargsyan said, `We have discussed
it with Mr. Schulz. We take it quite calmly because it’s not the first
time the European Parliament takes up the Nagorno Karabakh issue
issue. In late 1980s and in the beginning of 90s, all European
structures were supporting the just claim of the people of Nagorno
Karabakh. At that time too, the European Parliament adopted
resolutions. I am confident that when adopting a resolution regarding
the same issue, the European Parliament cannot proceed from different
principles. Hence, there is nothing to worry about. Moreover, all
European structures have been working to expedite resolution of the
conflict.’

From: Baghdasarian