Stefan Fule: We need partners to be always trusted

Armenia uses as much as possible the opportunities given by the EU Eastern Partnership program, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule said at the meeting with journalists in Yerevan today.
We need partners to be always trusted, he noted.

In his report prepared beforehand, Stefan Fule spoke about the six main priorities of programs implemented by the EU, including democracy, fundamental freedoms, and the fight against corruption.

Touching upon the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Fule said that henceforth, too, the EU is prepared to assist with its resolution. According to him, it is a painful subject, but it should not be suppressed in Yerevan and Baku.

I call upon Armenia to intensify discussions with Azerbaijan to reach an agreement based on the Madrid Principles. The EU for its part will continue assisting Armenia on the path of reaching an agreement, the Commissioner stated.

Speaking about the normalization of relations with Turkey, he said the EU has called on and will call on Turkey to continue the European integration process, focusing on the main principles of the EU.

We will use all the opportunities for this, and membership of the EU envisages good relations with neighbors, Fule said.

He also touched upon Armenian-Russian relations, especially in the context of the gas tariff increase and the sale of Russian arms to Azerbaijan. Asked if this can be considered as the Russian side’s pressure on Armenia in connection with the upcoming initialing of the Association Agreement with the EU and the problem of joining the Customs Union, Fule said: I cannot comment. It is up to you to say if there is pressure. But I follow the news and am informed about gas prices and arms supplies and a number of other issues. I can only say that there is no notion of pressure in our relations with partners.

We have never told our partners to stop cooperation with their so-called traditional or reliable partner, the European Commissioner noted.

It should be mentioned that during his visit Stefan Fule has met with President Serzh Sargsyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, and Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotian. Meetings with representatives of opposition parties and civil society also took place.