Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement underpins Armenia-EU  relations

ArmInfo. Relations between Armenia and the European Union are based on the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Andrea Wiktorin, EU Ambassador to Armenia, said on May 10 at a press conference in Yerevan dedicated  to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations  between Armenia and the European Union.

She recalled that May 9 is traditionally celebrated as Europe Day,  and in this light, the Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundation  for the EU project, is remembered. "Today, these festivities take on  an exceptional meaning, as since April 24 Europe has been watching  the return of large-scale hostilities in Ukraine. However, we are  confident that the integration processes within the EU are a story of  centuries of success. And Europe Day is a good opportunity to let  down the outcome of what we do: we protect and stimulate peace, we  will contribute to security both on the European continent and  throughout the world, as well as the promotion of democratic values.  It is in this spirit that we interact with Armenia. We are together  and promote reforms and democracy in the country on the benefit of  the citizens of Armenia. This is our ultimate goal," the Ambassador  said.

At the same time, Wiktorin reminded that in August this year, Armenia  and the EU will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment  of diplomatic relations. In this vein, the European diplomat added  that the relationship between the two parties is based on a  Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement.

"CEPA is the roadmap for our relations, and I am proud that the  Armenian government is using it as a blueprint for the reform  process. In this spirit, we continue our cooperation," the European  diplomat said, adding that a meeting of the partnership committee was  held last week, the purpose of which, among other things, is to  strengthen peace and security in the region, as well as throughout  the world, also to expand cooperation in the field of universal  freedoms, security and justice.

At the same time, she said that on the issues of strengthening human  rights and respect for fundamental freedoms, the EU cooperates not  only with the government of the Republic of Armenia, but also with  representatives of civil society and the Human Rights Defender of the  Republic of Armenia. She noted that at this stage, work is underway  to develop an annual plan of interaction, participation in the reform  of the justice sector will continue, and there will be involvement in  the field of education as well. In this vein, she pointed out the  importance of investing in the field of youth. She also reported on  the implementation of the project on sustainable development in the  Syunik region within the framework of the Team Europe project.

In turn, Ambassador of France to Armenia Anne Louyot announced her  readiness to closely cooperate with the Government of the Republic of  Armenia and with the EU delegation in order to strengthen  cooperation.   "Today, on Europe Day, it is important to remember Schuman's  statement made 72 years ago. This Declaration was aimed at creating a  united Europe, this is the reason why we are assisting all the  aspirations of the Armenian government aimed at peace and the  establishment of regional stability, especially in this difficult  period when there is a war in Ukraine," the diplomat said, stating  that Armenia is an important partner for the European Union.

At the same time, the diplomat announced the desire of European  countries to share their system of values with their partners. "And  these values are the basis of CEPA, on which we work closely and are  ready to emphasize the high level of negotiations," she summed up.

Meanwhile, for clarification, 2.6 billion euros allocated by the  European Union to Armenia is a condition for the normalization of  Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, the EU ambassador stressed that this  investment package is a proposal for Armenia. She added that this is  a proposal of the European Commission aimed at strengthening  bilateral cooperation.

"Yes, everyone is interested in eliminating differences between  Armenia and Azerbaijan. But we also have bilateral cooperation. We  must cooperate, and there are areas of interaction. We have already  said that relations are developing in a really positive manner and in  an environment of trust," the European diplomat, adding that the  cooperation between Armenia and the EU is very different currently  and in the past.

At the same time, she stressed that all the areas in which Armenia  and the EU will cooperate are indicated in the Comprehensive and  Enhanced Partnership Agreement between Armenia and the EU. At the  same time, she pointed to the desire of Brussels to promote  cooperation in these areas - both from an economic point of view and  from the point of view of package projects.