Tensions along contact line unacceptable to EU
An Armenian delegation headed by Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian left for Brussels on December 7 to participate in the Armenia-EU cooperation council meeting. The delegation comprises Deputy Minister of Justice Nikolay Arustamyan, Deputy Minister of Economy Mushegh Tumasyan and Head of Armenian mission to the European Union, Ambassador Avet Adonts.
The EU delegation, comprising senior officials from various bodies, was headed by the Hungarian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zsolt Németh, and the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, Štefan Füle.
The session discussed Armenia-EU cooperation agenda, as well as regional issues and further steps towards deepening collaboration.
Speaking of Armenia's efforts towards establishing closer ties with Europe, Minister Nalbandian said that Armenia-EU cooperation is one of priorities of Armenia's foreign policy.
According to the Armenian FM, Armenia will continue to efforts to deepen Armenia-EU cooperation.
Minister Nalbandian emphasized the efficient work of EU Advisory Group to Armenia.
The parties also exchanged views on the negotiations within the Associate Agreement frameworks, focusing on the possibilities of creating free trade zone and facilitating visa regime.
Minister Nalbandian said he was hopeful that the Associate Agreement will legal basis for Armenia-EU cooperation and strengthen ties in different spheres, including energy, transport communication and environment.
Upon the request of EU officials, Edward Nalbandian presented the recent developments in Karabakh peace process. In that context, Hungarian diplomat Zsolt Németh said that incidents escalating tensions along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Karabakh armed forces are unacceptable to EU.
The EU senior officials also hailed the joint statement adopted at the OSCE summit in Astana.
They also reconfirmed their stance on the unconditional ratification and implementation of the Armenia-Turkey protocols signed in Zurich in 2009.
