Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian attended the fifth meeting of foreign ministers of the Eastern Partnership member states. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule were also present at the meeting.
The press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry has told ArmInfo that in his speech Nalbandian expressed Armenia's desire to develop partnership with the European Union based on the results and progress gained over the past few years. He recalled that at the Vilnius summit Armenia and the EU confirmed their commitments to continue the cooperation within the Eastern Partnership in all fields of mutual interest.
Nalbandian pointed out that the EU's consistent support plays an important role in the Armenian reforms aimed at strengthening democracy and institutional capacities.
He added that the agenda of the Armenia-EU relations includes numerous issues, including political dialogue, justice, migration, institutional reforms and potential growth. In this light, the diplomat added that Armenia is ready to continue the cooperation in all fields of mutual interest.
Nalbandian also said that the expansion of communication between the societies is a general goal and Armenia wants to start a dialogue on abolishment of the visa regime with due regard for its successful experience regarding the visa facilitation agreement.
Minister Nalbandian pointed out the significance of the Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement on the general principles for the participation of Armenia in EU programmes. The Protocol came into force in March 2014 and it will enable the country to take part in various EU programmes and expand the bilateral cooperation in specific fields.