ARMENIAN AND SWEDISH FOREIGN MINISTERS DISCUSS A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES RELATED TO THE ARMENIA-EUROPEAN UNION RELATIONS

ARMENPRESS
July 21, 2009

YEREVAN, JULY 21, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Foreign Affairs Minister Edward
Nalbandian yesterday discussed a wide range of issues related to the
Armenia-European Union relations with the Foreign Affairs Minister
of Sweden Carl Bildt.

During the press conference after the meeting E. Nalbandian noted that
issues connected with the enhancement and deepening of cooperation
and collaborative steps to be undertaken towards it were also subject
to discussions.

"The cooperation between Armenia and EU is multilateral. We cooperate
in different projects and formats, particularly the Partnership
and cooperation treaty, European neighborhood policy as well as the
Eastern partnership. According to the agreement reached within the
frameworks of the visit of the Armenian President to Brussels in
November 2008 another cooperation format was launched in addition
to the existing ones – the presence of the EU consultation group
to Armenia which assists the process of reforms undergoing in the
legislative, executive and judicial system," the Minister noted.

According to E. Nalbandian Armenia will continue its foreign political
course of coming closer to the European Union and intends to implement
necessary steps and reforms towards it.

The Armenian-Swedish relations in a number of spheres including
the economic one have also become subject for yesterday’s
discussions. Minister Nalbandian stressed that the sides have expressed
their gratification on the latest intensification of cooperation
between the business circles which can serve as an impetus for the
development of multilateral cooperation in different spheres.

In his turn C. Bildt reconfirmed that during the meeting issues
of enhancement of cooperation and steps to be undertaken towards
it have been discussed. Development of the economic cooperation,
simplification of the order of getting the entrance visa, creation of
facilities for free trade have also been stressed as important which
will be bilaterally profitable in respect of the overcoming of the
established difficult situation in the conditions of the recession. The
human rights protection issues have also been stressed as important.

C. Bildt stressed the great importance attached to the improvement
of relations between Armenia and Turkey as well as the opening of
borders which "will have a tremendous profit".

He once more stressed the readiness of EU to assist the process of
improvement of these relations. The Swedish Foreign Minister also
stressed that they will attentively follow the development of event
after the Moscow meeting between Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents
and encourage the continuation of negotiations.