ARMENIA-EU ACTION PLAN FOR 2009 IMPLEMENTED

Noyan Tapan
Apr 2, 2010

YEREVAN, APRIL 2, NOYAN TAPAN. The implementation of measures on
carrying out the Armenia-EU Action Plan for 2009 was summarized at
the March 30 sitting of the interdepartmental commission coordinating
cooperation of Armenian state bodies with European organizations. The
sitting was conducted by Secretary of the National Security Council
(NSC) Arthur Baghdasarian.

A. Baghdasarian said that reforms in 190 directions that include 277
actions are envisaged within the framework of Armenia-EU cooperation.

"Considerable work was done in 2009 as part of Armenia-EU cooperation.

About 40 interdepartmental working groups were set up within the
commission, with 10 concepts, one strategy and 4 national programs
being developed. Summarizing the work done, we can say that 33% of
planned actions either have been carried out or are at the completion
stage, while the remaining work will be done in 2010-2011. All the
projects within the framework of Armenia-EU cooperation shall be
implemented within the envisaged period," A. Baghdasarian said.

He expressed a positive opinion about the activities of the EU advisory
group in Armenia. In his words, there is deep cooperation between
the EU and Armenia, and both sides positively assess the large-scale
reforms which covered almost all the spheres in the current phase of
their implementation.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Ms. Karine Ghazinian spoke about
the work on signing the Association Agreement and the Deep and
Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between Armenia and the European
Union. According to her, the aim of signing asociation agreements under
the Eastern Partnership project is to deepen political association
with EU partner states and to promote economic integration to ensure
markets. The European Commissioner for EU Enlargement and Neighborhood
Policy is expected to visit Armenia to discuss the issue of the
mandate for negotiating an association agreement. The mandate will
be given to Armenia by late April. The Association Agreement will
contain guidelines on cooperation on economic integration, migration,
and energy issues. It is planned to carry out reforms in the bodies
responsible for fulfillment of the obligations under the agreement.

The press service of the RA NSC reported that the sitting participants
approved the program of information strategy on Armenia’s European
integration, as well as the following concepts: on the safe management
of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel in Armenia, on the national
program of human rights protection, on the introduction of the system
of electronic passports and ID cards with biometric information in
Armenia, and on ensuring technical safety in Armenia.