ArmInfo.European Union readycontinue to assist the Armenian government in implementing democratic reforms. The high representative of the EU for foreign and security policy, Federica Mogherini, said this in Brussels the day before in a meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Federica Mogherini, welcoming the visit of Nikol Pashinyan to Brussels, Federica Mogherini stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with Armenia. She reaffirmed the structure's intentions to support the republic in the implementation of democratic reforms aimed at strengthening the rule of law, fighting corruption, protecting human rights, and ensuring economic progress.In turn, the RA Prime Minister stressed that the EU is a reliable partner of Armenia, and the political changes in the country further strengthened the ties between Armenia and the European Union, which share common values.During the meeting, the sides discussed issues related to the Agreement on a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union, the process of liberalizing the visa regime, European Union assistance initiated by the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the agenda of bilateral cooperation.
Nikol Pashinyan noted that the political dialogue between Armenia and the EU is at a high level, as evidenced by the official reciprocal high-level visits. The premier added that the executive body is ready to continue and further develop effective cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Nikol Pashinyan and Federica Mogherini exchanged views on regional issues, touched upon the settlement of the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict. The sides stressed the importance of its peaceful settlement within the framework of the international format of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. Earlier, the European Commission issued a report, according to which the EU's intentions were announced to provide loans to Armenia for more than 700 million euros for the implementation of reform programs.
The report notes that financial assistance will be allocated to countries participating in the Eastern Partnership program - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus. The amount of loans to be financed by the EU and the World Bank will exceed 13 billion euros. Note that the Eastern Partnership (EaP) is a program of the European Union, launched in Paris in 2009. The idea of the project was presented by Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski. The EAP sets itself the main task - the development of EU relations with the six countries of the former Soviet Union: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Armenia in 2017 at the summit in Brussels signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with the EU. According to the signed agreement, the republic will receive a loan in exchange for reforms.