At the European Union and Eastern Partnership Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brussels on July 22, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian noted Armenia’s and the European Union’s reaffirmed commitments at the Summit in Vilnius to continue to strengthen cooperation in the framework of the Eastern Partnership in all areas of mutual interest. Nalbandian met with EU Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle.
Nalbandian noted that Armenia wants to start dialogue on the abolition of the visa regime with the EU, based on the successes seen in visa facilitation and readmission agreements.
“Armenia looks forward to working with the EU in the formation of a new legal framework, which, on the one hand, will reflect the outcomes as a result of negotiations, and on the other hand, will take into account the new realities,” said Nalbandian.
He said the European Union’s agenda includes many areas of cooperation with Armenia. “From political dialogue to justice and mobility; issues pertaining to migration, institutional reforms and growth potential.” He added that “Armenia is ready to continue to work on all areas of mutual interest.”
Nalbandian touched upon the Karabakh conflict settlement process, stating that “We fully agree that people should be prepared for peace and not war. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan acts differently with its militant and provocative rhetoric, intolerance and hatred, which leads to the escalation of tensions between itself and Artsakh and Armenia.”
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