First meeting of the Armenia-EU Partnership Council: From the fight  against corruption to the normalization of relations with Turkey

ArmInfo.Today in Brussels, under the chairmanship of the EU High Representative for Foreign  Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, the first meeting of the Armenia-EU Partnership Council was held. The press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry told ArmInfo.

The Council is the supreme body created under the comprehensive and  expanded partnership agreement (CEPA) and is called upon to monitor  the implementation of the agreement and discuss issues of mutual  interest.

"Armenia and the EU have expressed readiness to expand and deepen  cooperation in the framework of this new document and the Eastern  Partnership and the revised neighborhood policy." The Partnership  Council welcomed the peaceful nature of the protests that took place  in Armenia in the recent period and led to a democratic change of  government within the framework of the Constitution. highly  appreciated the general restraint shown on all sides and called on  all interested political forces, including civil society, to a  continuous and inclusive dialogue," the RA MFA said.

The EU welcomed the clear commitment of the Armenian government to  the fight against corruption and the steps taken in this direction.

"The EU confirmed its support for reforms, including in the form of  technical and financial assistance aimed at strengthening democracy,  the rule of law, the protection of human rights, as well as  increasing prosperity and socio-economic growth in Armenia." The  Partnership Council emphasized the importance of amending the  Election Code RA, is in tune with the proposals of the OSCE/ODIHR and  with the aim of strengthening confidence in the electoral processes,  the EU also expressed its readiness to assist Armenia in preparing  for and monitoring elections," RA MFA report and stresses that the  Partnership Council also noted the importance of having an  independent judiciary in ensuring the rule of law, and an important  precondition for economic and social development.

The Council also stressed the need for progress on the speedy  development of the new Criminal Code and the new Code of Criminal  Procedure, as well as the importance of comprehensive anti-corruption  legislation.

In addition, the Council stressed the need for the joint  implementation of the provisions of the framework agreement on trade  in order to ensure a stable, business-friendly and predictable  environment for trade in Armenia, including the full and timely  implementation of provisions on protection of geographical position.   The Partnership Council also stressed the importance of having  competent management in the tax sphere in accordance with business  taxation rules. "In the energy sphere, the Partnership Council  pointed to the importance of energy security, energy efficiency,  renewable energy sources and nuclear safety in accordance with the  comprehensive and expanded partnership agreement and signed on  February 21 this year by the agreement on the priorities of the  Armenia-EU partnership. a comprehensive air transport agreement  between Armenia and the EU, scheduled for November 24, 2017, and that  will improve market accessibility and bu In addition, in meeting all  the criteria, Armenia expressed its readiness to start a dialogue on  the liberalization of the visa regime, the Partnership Council also  recalled that the priorities of the Armenia-EU partnership will shape  the priorities of the EU's assistance to the Armenian side. 160  million euros will be allocated for the period from 2017 to 2021. The  Partnership Council stressed the need to maximize the use of these  resources for the implementation of the agreement on expanded  partnership and visible and tangible improvement in living conditions  of citizens. The Partnership Council took note of the report on the  policy of the European Partnership countries on Armenia, published on  June 6, and noted the importance of the progress achieved in the  relations between the EU and Armenia after the meeting of the  Armenia-EU Cooperation Council in May 2017. The Partnership Council  decided that subsequent reports will be called "Partnership Reports",  and in which the main attention will be paid to the implementation of  the framework agreement, "the Armenian Foreign Ministry said.

The department notes that in addition to bilateral relations within  CEPA, the Partnership Council emphasized Armenia's active  participation in the Eastern Partnership. Armenia, in turn,  reaffirmed its commitment to play an important, dynamic and  constructive role within the EaP. Armenia and the European Union  underlined the importance of achieving the "Results of 2020" of the  Eastern Partnership.  The EU stressed its readiness to discuss  specific proposals on the development of cooperation in specific  areas within the framework of the Eastern Partnership.

"The EU confirmed the assistance to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk  Group co-chairs aimed at a peaceful settlement of the  Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and then the Partnership Council stressed  that the achievement of a lasting and reliable political solution to  the conflict in Syria is of exceptional importance." The EU with the  aim of integrating Syrian Armenians in Armenia, Madad provided  assistance in the amount of 3 million euros, the European Union also  reaffirmed its commitment to promote normalization of relations  between Armenia and Turkey and urged the parties You can participate  in this process without any preconditions, the parties confirmed  their commitment to international obligations on Iran, "the RA MFA  reported.