Despite the decision of Armenia in September 2013 not to sign the Association and the Free Trade Agreement with the EU in favor of a rally with the Eurasian Economic Union, the EU reiterates its commitment to closer ties with Armenia, and strengthen bilateral cooperation in the framework of the Eastern Partnership, in all areas consistent with recent policy orientations of Armenia, “said the Head of the Delegation of EU in Armenia Traian Hristea Wednesday, February 25 at a conference on the theme “EU-Armenia Cooperation and perspective in the current political context.” “Currently, we think with our Armenian counterparts to the future of relations between the EU and Armenia.

After the joint statement issued at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius in November 2013, both parties filed a joint reflection on how to restructure a legal basis for their relations, “said the European official. “The EU and Armenia have launched in Brussels an inspection exercise of future legal and political framework for relations between the EU and Armenia, based on the commitments of Armenia to the Eurasian Union their potential impact on future relations with the EU.

The two sides agreed to maintain the association agreement, which was negotiated but not signed, and use it as a reference in that goal, “added Mr. Hristea. “To the extent that good governance, reform of the judiciary, rule of law, human rights are not affected by the process of integration in the Eurasian Union official, the EU has plenty to do with Armenia, and Armenia on its side is free to prove its commitment to reform.

The budget to be allocated to the human rights sector in this regard is hailed as a good move – but it is also a test, “the ability of Armenia to continue on this path, said Mr. Hristea, which stressed the need to make the best possible use of European aid to 140-170 million for 2014-2017, aimed primarily at private sector development, and reform of the administration public and justice.

The European delegate continued, “the EU is very concerned about the security situation in the region, particularly after the renewed tension without precedent on the contact line of Nagorno-Karabakh. “The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has no military solution and the status quo is intolerable. Although it is not part of the Minsk Group of the negotiation process of the OSCE, the EU intends to strengthen its support for efforts towards peace. “ “The EU also continues to support the Armenian-Turkish relations normalization efforts and encourages both parties to continue the process of normalization without preconditions, despite the withdrawal of the protocols signed in 2009 on the agenda of parliaments two countries. We also consider commemorating the centennial year of the atrocities committed by the Ottoman Empire as a test for the Armenian-Turkish relations, “concluded the European delegate.