EU to use experience of working with Armenia

The European Union Advisory Group to the Republic of Armenia opened its Fourth Advisory Board Meeting today in Yerevan within the framework of Armenia-EU partnership program. The meeting was co-chaired by RA National Security Council Secretary Arthur Baghdasaryan and head of the EU delegation to Armenia Raul de Luzenberger. EU Advisory Group fourth quarterly statement (for January-March, 2010) was presented as well as draft Actions Plan for April-September, 2010 was discussed.

A. Baghdasaryan summing up EU Advisory Group one year activity in Armenia in his greeting speech appreciated the work done. He said that three cooperation spheres – visa, justice freedom and free trade, have already produced good results.
A. Baghdasaryan also expressed hope that signing the Association Agreement and Free Trade Agreement will further activize implementation of reforms in Armenia, what will also promote Armenia-EU partnership.

Raul de Luzenberger, in his turn, expressed happiness with the positive estimations mentioning that the Advisory Group activity in Armenia is the first experience of such work. He said that Armenian experience will be used in the work with other countries, first of which will be Moldova. He also stressed the necessity of extension of financial programs stages within the framework of the EU Eastern Partnership program.

At the meeting, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Mrs. Dafina Gercheva also expressed satisfaction with the work done by the EU Advisory Group in Armenia mentioning the results recorded in the human rights, anti-corruption programs, legal and other spheres. Mrs. Gercheva also rated as important signing the Free Trade Agreement with EU aiming at making the reforms in Armenia permanent.