OSKANYAN MET EU TROYKA

Lragir, Armenia
Feb 6 2008

On February 6 the Armenian foreign minister Vardan Oskanyan met with
the delegation of the EU, which includes Dmitrij Rupel, the foreign
minister of Slovenia which chairs the EU, the commissioner of foreign
affairs and European Neighborhood Police Benita Ferrero-Valdner and
the EU’s special representative for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby.

The delegation also includes Jacques Forre, head of the French foreign
ministry department for Europe (France will chair the EU from July
2008), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports.

On behalf of the EU the head of the delegation Dmitrij Rupel highly
appreciated the implementation of the European Neighborhood Policy
action plan by Armenia. He specified progress toward fair government,
human rights and justice, police and civil service reforms. According
to the minister, the economic growth in Armenia may accelerate
the pace of reforms. Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Valdner dwelled on
democratic reforms, noting that Armenia is on the track for promotion
of European integration.

Minister Oskanyan endorsed the EU decision to set up a representation
to Armenia, expressing the willingness of Armenia to complete the
EU-Armenia action plan. He enumerates several new initiatives meant
to make cooperation more effective. The foreign minister said Armenia
welcomes close relations with the EU members and is convinced that
the positive experience of cooperation with the EU structures helps
come closer to the European Union.

The interlocutors discussed reorganization of the EU foreign policy
necessitated by the agreement of Lisbon (2007) and the issue of one
vote of the EU in the international relations.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress