TEFAN FüLE: ARMENIA AND THE EU GET CLOSER TO EACH OTHER
11:08 18.12.2012
Armenia and the EU get closer to each other in concrete ways,”
EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy
tefan Fule declared after the EU-Armenia Cooperation Council sitting
in Brussels.
“There are already some specific achievements – we have signed the Visa
Facilitation Agreement and protocol concerning Armenia’s participation
in EU programmes. For people this is a visible and tangible result
of our close partnership,” the commissioner said.
“But there is more on our ambitious agenda. The negotiations of the
Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free
Trade Area, have progressed well. For a successful outcome which
allows EU-Armenia relations to reach their full potential, we will
need sustained reform efforts next year,” he added.
“We welcome progress made by Armenia in the conduct of May
parliamentary elections. At the same time, we trust that Armenia will
address the remaining OSCE/ODIHR recommendations in the context of
presidential elections in February next year. This is a crucial issue
for a relation based on common values,” he stated.
“We welcome Armenia’s efforts in the area of good governance and human
rights. Important challenges remain, including ensuring independence
of the judiciary and pursuing systemic anti-corruption measures,”
Commissioner Fule said.
“The goals and ambitions are clearly defined. Now it is about how to
turn them into reality. Armenia can of course count on EU’s support.
We hope to be able to make a very positive assessment of the
strengthening of our relationship during the Eastern Partnership
summit in Vilnius next year,” the Commissioner concluded.