On October 2, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian met with Johannes Hahn, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy.
Greeting the guest, Minister Nalbandian noted that Armenia has close ties with the European Union and intends to expand the comprehensive cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.
Thanking for the reception, Commissioner Hahn underlined the importance of continuous productive dialogue with Armenia.
The interlocutors highlighted with satisfaction the regular character of bilateral meetings and dialogue, which provides a good opportunity to discuss various issues of the Armenia-EU relations agenda.
Edward Nalbandian valued the EU support for the ongoing reforms in Armenia. He touched upon the achievements of Armenia-EU cooperation registered since the Riga Summit.
In the course of the meeting the sides touched upon preparations for the EU Eastern Partnership Summit in Brussels, exchanged views on the Final Declaration of the Summit.
In this context, Edward Nalbandian highlighted the finalisation of negotiations and the initialling of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, underlining that it could become one of the important achievements of the Summit.
Commissioner Hahn defined the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement as a groundbreaking document that shows that Armenia, while being a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, at the same time establishes a comprehensive and enhanced partnership with the EU. Referring to the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with Armenia and the Partnership Priorities Document, Commissioner Hahn noted that they could serve as an example for other countries.
At the meeting, the interlocutors also discussed urgent international issues, developments in the Middle East, the course of implementation of agreements over the Iranian nuclear programme and the situation in the Korean peninsula.
Edward Nalbandian briefed Commissioner Hahn on the joint efforts of Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries aimed at the exclusively peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the preparations for the forthcoming meeting of Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Commissioner Hahn reaffirmed the unreserved and full support of the European Union to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries.
After the meeting, Edward Nalbandian and Johannes Hahn made statements for the press.