ARMENIA STRONGLY AFFECTED BY AUGUST WAR AND GLOBAL RECESSION

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
03.07.2009 20:40 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 2008 was a difficult year not only for Europe
but also for all Eastern partners. August war, global recession and
gas conflict between Moscow and Kiev strongly affected EU eastern
partners, slowing down reform processes, Raul de Lutzenberger,
Head of Eurocomission’s mission in Armenia, announced in Yerevan,
during a discussion devoted to European Neighborhood Policy and
Eastern Partnership.

"Armenia was strongly affected by last year’s war and economic
recession, as well as internal political crisis following presidential
elections. All that influenced the process of implementing European
Neighborhood Policy," Ambassador stressed.

According to him, Armenia became more active in the sphere of regional
cooperation after initiating a dialogue with Turkey. "Yerevan and
Ankara started ‘football diplomacy’ and later declared about the road
map," European diplomat said, noting Armenia’s progress in spheres
of transport, migration issues and fight against trafficking. "In
the meantime, human rights and democracy situation has deteriorated
following March 1-2, 2008 incidents. Considering all that, EU Advisory
Group and RA Ombudsman’s Office are elaborating an action plan on
human rights protection," Lutzenberger said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress