Friday, May 11 2018 21:03

ArmInfo. On June 1, the partial implementation of the Armenia- EU comprehensive and expanded partnership agreement will start. This May 11 in Yerevan on the margins of the opening of the Days of Europe in Armenia the head of the EU delegation to Armenia Piotr Switalsky stated. 

To clarification of ArmInfo, which provisions of the agreement are  being discussed, the ambassador said that it will be possible to  implement almost 80% of the provisions of the agreement. The diplomat  recalled that Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Karen Nazaryan  presented in detail at the hearings in the National Assembly  directions and provisions on which cooperation within the framework  of the interim agreement will become possible. "I would like to state  that there was a fairly wide debate in the Armenian parliament around  the agreement. I was impressed by the knowledge of the deputies, and  the attention they paid to this issue. The debate was high, and the  fact that the agreement was unanimously ratified shows only a deep  knowledge of the provisions of this agreement and a commitment to its  implementation, "the ambassador said.

At the same time, he stressed that on June 1 an important event is  planned - a partnership council is planned, on which the roadmap for  interaction will be outlined. He recalled that agreements were  reached with the former government on the format of interaction and  expressed confidence that the new executive body will continue  implementing the projects. At the same time, the ambassador stated  about the readiness of the EU to discuss with the new government  issues related to the implementation of previously reached  agreements. Switalsky also believes that the main motto of  cooperation should be avoidance of time loss.

At the same time, the ambassador stressed that the European Union  will try to preserve the existing working agenda of cooperation,  around which agreements were reached earlier. "We are convinced that  the dialogue at the working level will be extremely important and  useful from the point of view of solving the tasks of our agenda. We  are also ready to listen to the proposals of the new government of  Armenia, as well as requests related to the implementation of the new  framework agreement, as well as clarifications related to its  implementation. We also understand that the priority task of the new  government will be holding honest, free and open elections. If any  requests from the EU or other international donor organizations on  the issue of facilitating such elections are sent by the new  government of Armenia, we are ready to study it constructively. And  it is obvious that we expect initiative from the new government from  this point of view, "said the head of the EU mission in Armenia.

He also expressed the conviction that the previously reached  agreements with the Armenian side will be of priority in relations  with the new government, at least during the coming month.

At the same time, Switalsky stressed that the European Union still  expects to submit a program of activities for the new government of  Armenia. According to him, the EU is ready to conduct a dialogue with  the Armenian side after the program is presented, which will allow us  to clarify the positions on further cooperation. "We are pragmatic.  We are convinced that the new government will be even more pragmatic  on this issue and therefore we will find a common language, "said the  ambassador.

Switalsky also informed that a delegation from Brussels on the  protection of human rights will visit Armenia next week. "On the  agenda of the meeting there will be issues related to human rights,  special attention will be paid to the sphere of justice. In the  format of subcommittees there will be discussions related to this  area. But, in general, given the current situation, it would be  useful for both sides to discuss in which directions our cooperation  will continue, " Switalsky said.