President of the European Council Herman van Rompuy in the National Assembly
04.07.2012
On July 4 Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council being
in Yerevan within the framework of regional visit had a meeting with
the Speaker of Parliament Hovik Abrahamyan. Afterwards in the session
hall before the NA deputies the Speaker of the National Assembly Hovik
Abrahamyan had a welcoming speech, and Herman van Rompuy, President of
the European Council addressed to the parliament.
Welcoming those present the Speaker of the National Assembly Hovik
Abrahamyan said:
`Honourable President of the European Council Mr Rompuy,
Dear colleagues,
It’s an honour for me to welcome you dear President and the delegation
of the European Council in the National Assembly of the Republic of
Armenia.
First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to you, Mr
President, for the decision of visiting Armenia, as well as for the
initiative of addressing to the National Assembly. It’s a great honour
for us that among the Eastern Partnership member- countries you visit
just the Republic of Armenia.
This circumstance testifies to the fulfillment of Armenia’s assumed
international obligations, as well as to recognizing and encouraging
the democratic reforms being implemented in our country.
The European direction, the rapprochement with the European Union, as
well as the development of bilateral relations with European countries
is one of the RA foreign policy priorities. With this respect I should
note with satisfaction that Armenia-European Union cooperation
bilateral format has been considerably expanded during the recent
years.
During the past years the Republic of Armenia led by President
Sargsyan has made big efforts to build a democratic country based on
European systemic values and more deepen the relations with the
European Union, and we have recorded tangible success. Armenia’s
aspiration to develop with European values, principles and standards
also enjoys universal consensus in our society.
The National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia has a key role in
that process, and the legislative reforms made by our parliament serve
as bright evidence. Particularly, I would like to mention the new
`Electoral Code’ passed by the National Assembly which enjoyed the
endorsement of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, as well
as the law on `Freedom of Assemblies.’ According to the assessments of
the international structures, these two laws had the most important
contribution in holding the best elections in the history of our young
republic. We succeeded to hold elections in compliance with European
standards, as a result of which a parliament representing Armenia’s
political field at best was shaped. I am confident that this
circumstance will contribute to forming a new culture of
parliamentarism and making the National Assembly a real tribune of
plurality.
The legislative body of Armenia also played an important role in
creating a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the European
Union, as well as in beginning negotiations over entry visa
facilitation.
The Republic of Armenia was the first country that enjoyed the idea of
creating the Eastern Partnership Parliamentary format, Euronest
Parliamentary Assembly which from the beginning has been observed by
Armenia not only the most important platform of the development of
Armenia-European Union relationship, but also establishing atmosphere
of mutual trust and full regional cooperation.
Taking the advantage I would like to thank the European Union for the
assistance shown to Armenia and express conviction that this
cooperation will continue at executive, as well as legislative levels.
In shaping balanced policy by the European Union towards our region
and especially to Armenia, honourable Mr President, we especially
highlight your personal contribution. You, having good fame of
experienced politician and skilful negotiator, can smooth the problems
facing the European Union and successfully overcome challenges.
I am sure that your visit will be an additional stimulus in deepening
of Armenia-European Union cooperation.’
In his address Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council noted:
Mr Speaker, deputies, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure for me to be in Yerevan today. Armenia has
brought so much to European history and culture – your country’s
influence is familiar to all Europeans, whether or not they have had
the good fortune to visit. And I believe we have still much to share
in the future! On a personal note, I have always been captivated by
your country’s rich and remarkable history. As the most ancient
Christian nation, you have among the most venerable churches and
monasteries in the world! It is an honour to address this assembly,
which represents the people of Armenia in all their diversity. Let me
first thank you for this invitation to come here today, although the
Parliament is presently not in session. The opportunity to engage
directly with parliamentarians at this moment in our relations is one
which I highly value, and I would like to assure you that I am here to
listen and to learn.
I must say, Mr Speaker, that it is for me a very appropriate moment to
stand in this chamber – the parliament is beginning a new mandate with
an agenda for reforms which is important for your country, and
important for the region. This commitment to reforms –
reforms based on core values which we share – is an important signal
for hope and change. Hope, and change, for which you have our full
support.
Mr Speaker, honourable deputies, in deepening our ties we build on our
shared values and aspirations. Europe recognises in Armenia a key
partner in promoting international peace and security, in engaging in
effective multilateralism, including for the peaceful settlement of
disputes through the United Nations or the Organisation for Security
and Cooperation in Europe. I want to begin my remarks with this in
mind, since the ambitions we have for our relationship with Armenia
will only be achieved if they are built on peace, security and
stability. The situation in the region is a major challenge. A
resolution of the conflict on Nagorno-Karabakh is the key to unlocking
the region’s enormous development potential and the prosperity that it
can bring. But for this to happen, much depends on the will not just
of politicians, but also of citizens, to take difficult decisions and
to work together, resisting the temptations of populist rhetoric and
entrenchment. The European project was born out of the idea that we
would not be prisoners of our history, that we could overcome the
scars of conflict and bring former enemies together to build a better
future. We started with small and manageable steps – the very first
when former bitter enemies decided to mutualise their production of
coal and steel, basic ingredients of war. One step led to another,
tying the economies and societies on our continent ever closer
together. Countries that had fiercely fought one another for centuries
joined together to play a common role in the world. Each stage along
the way has brought its own challenges — and we are facing some now
— yet this path has undeniably brought peace and prosperity to our
continent.
I’ll say that the European Union is above all a community of values –
values that we believe are worth defending and worth sharing. Armenia
is a partner who wants to embrace these values. The closer association
we are working to establish is directly linked to this aspiration, and
it will take our relations to a new level, bringing our co-operation
much more directly into the lives of citizens. Uniting Europe was
never going to be an easy task. Along the way, we have always managed
to overcome difficulties through dialogue, consensus building and
political will. Sometimes we have to admit we have made mistakes. The
present economic and financial crisis is perhaps the most challenging
one in the history of European integration. But if we can handle it
with resolve, and with accountability, we will be stronger. There is
much work still ahead, but we are determined to carry it out and lay
the foundations for the future. We are addressing systemic challenges
for the Economic and Monetary Union, and working to make it fully
secure, safe and stable. We are learning the lessons, in terms of
fiscal discipline, structural reforms and deepening integration. But
this has to be done in an accountable way, and it has to be done in a
transparent way.
Mr Speaker Armenia is intent on deepening its relations with the
European Union, and this is something that we welcome. Your desire to
bring your own standards and norms closer to those of the European
Union represents a strategic choice for your country, which will lie
at the heart of our new Agreement. I believe we have a very solid
framework for our co-operation. The European Union’s renewed
Neighbourhood Policy, which was launched last year, has clear goals:
to offer greater support to partners engaged in building deep and
sustainable democracies, and to support inclusive economic development
more effectively. One of its main features is the principle which we
call “more for more”, and I want to stress this because I believe
Armenia has a lot to gain from it. At the basis of the Eastern
Partnership lies a shared commitment to international law and
fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law and respect
for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as to market
economy, sustainable development and good governance. Higher ambitions
and achievements in these areas will attract higher levels of
financial and technical support from the European Union: “more for
more”. To take our relations to this new level of co-operation and
support, Mr Speaker, there is no need to invent complicated new
policies or agendas. The job ahead of us, a job where we will be
working jointly, is already clearly set out in our agreements and
instruments. I am glad in particular that our negotiations on an
Association Agreement with its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area
are quietly moving forward. The same is true for our work on visa
facilitation. Much of the work we do together requires efforts,
patience and commitment and not all of it gets the political
recognition it deserves – we need `champions’ to support it and it is
in this house that I would expect to find those champions. At the same
time, citizens and civil society organisations, NGOs of course but
also trade unions or the media, can also play a crucial role in
driving forward reforms which meet real needs and which stand the test
of time.
Mr Speaker, let me try to illustrate what I have said about our joint
road ahead with a few observations I have drawn when reviewing recent
reports on internal developments in Armenia, and on the progress in
our bilateral relations. The first remark I would like to make is on
democracy. I am glad that the elections on 6 May demonstrated progress
towards a more transparent and competitive electoral system. This was
an important step forward, and I encourage Armenia to continue on this
path, by strengthening democratic institutions, promoting
transparency, human rights and the rule of law. At the same time, it
is clear that a number of issues still need to be addressed to further
improve the electoral system. Valuable work has been done by the
observers of the OSCE/ODIHR as identified in their Final Report. I
trust these issues could be addressed in good time for the
presidential elections next year. My second remark is more generally
related to what I would call the `core reforms’, those we really need
to get right if our political association is to fulfil its potential.
The European Union welcomes Armenia’s reform efforts and advancement
of Human Rights and the Rule of Law. But there are critical areas such
as free speech, press and broadcasting, religious freedom and
anti-discrimination where still more can be done, and we will
certainly want to look again at the reform priorities agreed between
us in areas like justice, human rights, the media and nuclear energy.
Mr Speaker, I hope that Armenia continues to focus its efforts on
pursuing genuine reforms. You can count on our support and that is why
I wanted to join you today – to show that our commitment is sincere
and lasting, and held at the highest level by the European Union. In
line with the `more for more’ principle, so provided Armenia takes the
right steps, we are ready to scale up our support.
As I move to my conclusion, I would like to return to the regional
context. The benefits of the Eastern Partnership cannot fully be
realized without a sustained effort to build stability — stability
between neighbours. Indeed, the medium to long-term goals of our
future agreement make no sense if the threat of conflict is going to
be a permanent presence in the background. But let me be clear: this
is a reality and it has to be faced. The European Union will continue
to insist that Armenia and Azerbaijan step up their efforts to reach
agreement. The so-called Madrid Principles remain a valid basis for
peace, in accordance with the commitments made by the Presidents of
both your countries to France, Russia and the United States as
co-chairs of the OSCE’s Minsk Group. And we will continue to ask for
unconditional access for representatives of the European Union to
Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding regions.
Mr Speaker, I was with great concern that I learnt about the recent
serious armed incidents along the border between Armenia and
Azerbaijan and the line of contact. I deeply regret the loss of human
life. The clock cannot be turned back on these tragic incidents, but
lessons can be learned. The European Union calls on both sides
strictly to respect the ceasefire and exercise restraint, on the
ground and in public statements, in order to prevent a further
escalation of the situation. Threats and the use of force do not
contribute to a resolution of this persisting conflict. The efforts of
the Minsk Group and its co-chairs to seek a peaceful resolution have
our full support. Where useful, we stand ready to provide extra
assistance for confidence building measures. And once there is a
settlement agreement the EU will be ready to help implementing it
including with rehabilitation assistance.
Finally, I would like also to say a few words on the relations between
Armenia and Turkey. Obviously this is a relationship which has been
loaded by history: I am fully aware of that. The European Union will
continue to encourage both sides to remain committed to the process of
normalization of bilateral relations, without preconditions from any
side. I am deeply convinced that fully normalising these relations
with our common neighbour and EU candidate country would be an
exceptionally positive contribution to security, stability and
cooperation in the Southern Caucasus and beyond.
Honourable Speaker, dear deputies,
The path of prosperity, sustained development and security is also the
path of genuine reforms, democracy and peace. Progress in the
resolution of the regional conflict will have a positive impact on the
growth and investment potential of Armenia and of the region, since it
will encourage confidence from investors and partners, allowing you to
enjoy the rewards which this great nation should be enjoying. What is
needed now is more trust, more contacts, more confidence-building. The
status quo is no option. Without trust, there will never be peace. And
trust will depend on both sides showing leadership and compromise.
Every effort — every small step — towards a peaceful, negotiated
settlement will bring the entire region closer to the secure and
prosperous future that its citizens deserve.
Mr Speaker, I remain convinced that your resolve can pave the way
towards this brighter future. The citizens of Armenia — the men and
women who voted for you — would expect no less.’
From: Baghdasarian
http://www.parliament.am/news.php?cat_id=2&NewsID=5264&year12&month=07&day=04&lang=eng