Deputies could not address questions to Herman Van Rompuy
The European Union and the Republic of Armenia have still much to share in the future, President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, said addressing the RA National Assembly on July 4.
"It is a great honour for me to speak in the RA National Assembly which represents the opinion of a whole political arena. I have come at an opportune moment. I am also here to hear and learn," said Herman Van Rompuy.
He stressed that the European Council welcomes Armenia's intention to deepen its relations with the EU.
The official says the May 6 parliamentary elections in Armenia showed progress in the country and he is hopeful that the progress will continue in the process of developing human rights and democracy. However, he pointed out some minor faults and expressed hope that they would be addressed during the 2013 presidential elections.
Hovik Abrahamyan, Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly, welcomed the President of the European Council saying that it is a great honour for Armenia to receive Mr. Rompuy as the first country among the Eastern Partnership member states.
"It shows that the EU has recognized democratic reforms underway in Armenia," he said.
Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan noted that closer relations with the EU and development of bilateral relations with European states are among Armenia's foreign policy priorities. He assured the European official that Armenia is doing its best to deepen relations with the EU and cited the May 6 parliamentary elections in Armenia as a proof.
Note that representatives of the NA factions did not have chance to address their questions to Mr. Rompuy.
"Only the thought that deputies may ask such questions that may displease the authorities is against democracy," said Vartan Oskanian, Armenia's ex-foreign minister, an MP of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK). He wanted to know why the President of the European Council did not plan to visit the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
"All questions were to be addressed in advance in written form," was the reply of Republican MP Hovhannes Sahakyan.
