EU to increase financial assistance to Armenia - Mediamax.am

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EU to increase financial assistance to Armenia


Photo: REUTERS


Yerevan /Mediamax/. The second Armenia-EU Partnership Council meeting has taken place today in Brussels, chaired by Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.

Armenian MFA has said that the council reaffirmed the commitment of the EU and Armenia to implement effectively the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

 

Mediamax presents the key points of the joint statement that the parties have issued following the meeting.

 

Reforms in the judiciary

 

The council underlined the importance of an independent, efficient and accountable judiciary which contributes not only to the protection of human rights but also to a business environment favorable to economic development and foreign investment.

 

The Council welcomed the current efforts aiming at comprehensive judicial reform in Armenia in accordance with the Armenian Constitution and with international standards.

 

The EU stands ready to provide further support for comprehensive judicial reform based on a justice reform strategy.

 

Labor inspection system

 

The Council welcomed Armenia's intention to establish a full-fledged system for labor inspection, which can ensure due supervision and control of labor standards, rights and working conditions in line with international principles.

 

Visa-liberalization Dialogue

 

To improve the mobility of citizens and people-to-people contacts, the EU and Armenia will continue promoting the mobility of citizens through the Visa-facilitation and the Readmission Agreements and consider in due course the opening of a Visa-liberalization Dialogue, provided that conditions for well-managed and secure mobility are in place.

 

Additional EUR 25m

 

The Council recalled that the EU had earmarked more than EUR 160 million in assistance for Armenia for 2017-2020. In recognition of Armenia’s determination to pursue a reform agenda and to implement the CEPA effectively, the EU will allocate an additional EUR 25 million in the context of its 2019 Annual Action Plan of assistance for Armenia.

 

The Council stressed the need to make the best use of these resources.

 

The conflict divide

 

Finally, the Council discussed regional and international issues. The EU reiterated its support to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs’ efforts aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

 

The EU stands ready to support initiatives aimed at overcoming the conflict divide and preparing populations for peace.

 

On Syria

 

Armenia confirmed its intention to continue providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Syria on the ground and work closely with all stakeholders for improving life conditions of persons who moved to Armenia from Syria. The EU confirmed that it will continue to assist Syrian people inside and outside Syria.

 

On Iran

 

On Iran, both the EU and Armenia remained committed to the continued full and effective implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

 

On Turkey

 

The EU reiterated its support for the normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations and stressed the need for both sides to engage in this process without preconditions. Armenia reiterated its long- standing position on establishing diplomatic relations with Turkey without preconditions.

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