28 out of 29 chapters closed
RA Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandyan participated in the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the European Union and the Eastern Partnership in Brussels along with High EU Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Catherine Ashton and EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Stefan Fule.
In his speech during the session, the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs said the road that started from the founding summit in Prague to the summit in Warsaw and the activities leading up to the summit to be held in Vilnius show the vitality of the Eastern Partnership Plan.
"It is a pleasure for me to mention that Armenia has made serious progress two years after the inauguration. Out of the 29 chapters that are being negotiated, 28 have been closed and there is only chapter left to agree on.
Based on the positive experience, we anticipate smooth progress in the negotiations over the creation of a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Zone and our goal is to come closer to the final stage before the summit in Vilnius.
The contacts between people and the promotion of mobility are another important component of cooperation. I am pleased to state that the agreements on the facilitation of the visa regime and readmission are ready and will be signed and ratified soon," said Minister Nalbandyan.
During the meeting, the sides adopted a joint declaration underlining that the roadmap presented by the European Commission and Vice-Chairman of the European Union, the High Representative served as a good basis for guiding by the goals developed at the Prague and Warsaw summits.
Before the session, Edward Nalbandyan had met with EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Stefan Fule. During the meeting, the sides discussed the issues related to organizing a conference of donors for supporting reforms in Armenia and setting the dates for high-ranking visits.
The interlocutors discussed the negotiations over the Associated Agreement, the facilitation of the entrance visa regime, readmission and the creation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Zone and several other issues related to Armenia-EU partnership.
During his meeting with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders, the sides discussed a broad range of issues related to the bilateral ties and touched upon the activation of bilateral political dialogue, the expansion of the juridical-contractual field, the consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries, the promotion of economic cooperation and the adequate steps for activating inter-parliamentary relations.
The sides also exchanged views on Armenia-EU relations.
Edward Nalbandyan and Didierr Reynders also discussed cooperation within the Francophonie International Organization.
At the Belgian Foreign Minister's request, the Armenian Foreign Minister presented the efforts being made to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Edward Nalbandyan invited his Belgian counterpart to visit Armenia, reports the MFA press service.
