Wednesday, January 30 2019 20:57

ArmInfo. Armenian Deputy Prime  Minister Mher Grigoryan held a meeting with Vasilis Maragos, Head of  the Armenian Affairs Directorate, European Commission Directorate  General for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy, Richard Tibels, Head  of the Bilateral Relations Department of the Eastern Partnership of  the European External Action Service of Europe, Ambassador Peter  Svitsalsky.As the press service of the government reports, welcoming  the guests Mher Grigoryan stressed the importance of cooperation with  the EU for Armenia. 

The Vice Premier presented the priority programs of the government,  noting the implementation of infrastructure projects, the development  of human capital, the justice system and human rights, economic  growth and trade as priority areas on the agenda of the RA Cabinet.  He expressed hope for increased cooperation with the EU, which will  contribute to the implementation of reforms in these areas.The EU  representatives congratulated Grigorian on reappointment to the post  of deputy prime minister, noting the importance of consistent  development of the formed cooperation, in particular, in the matter  of implementing the measures included in the roadmap of the  Comprehensive andexpanded partnership between Armenia and the EU  (CEPA).During the meeting, the parties agreed on further steps aimed  at both implementing CEPA and promoting programs implemented jointly  with the EU. The main directions of the upcoming joint programs were  also discussed.The agreement on a comprehensive and expanded  partnership between Armenia and the EU was signed on November 24,  2017. Since June 1, 2018, it entered into force and today 80% of the  provisions of the agreement are in force. The remaining provisions  will come into force after ratification of the document by EU member  states. This bilateral agreement includes political, economic and  sectoral cooperation.

 One of the objectives of the agreement is to strengthen the dialogue  in all areas of mutual interest, by developing close relations  between the parties, supporting the strengthening of democracy and  political, economic and institutional stability in the Republic of  Armenia, as well as expanding cooperation in trade.  The main areas  are justice, security, economy, agriculture and infrastructure,  environment and climate, consumer protection, migration issues,  information society, social policy, education and science, culture,  health, territorial development, statistics. The roadmap developed by  the RA-EU in connection with CEPA, the Armenian side and already  submitted to the European side, consists of two parts: firstly, it  includes issues related to trade, and secondly, sectoral cooperation,  which covers a number of areas , including transport, energy,  environment, taxation, justice, migration, agriculture and consumer  protection. This roadmap currently includes only those measures that  have already entered into force.