Armenia and EU develop new action plan of 180 provisions

“Some pessimists often spoke about a regress in recent period, sometimes also about the failure in Armenia-European Union relations. I want to disappoint them – Armenia-EU political cooperation is continuing and we together with our European partners have developed an ambitious action plan that consists of 180 provisions,” Secretary of Armenia’s National Security Council (NSC) Arthur Baghdasarian stated at the sitting of the interdepartmental commission coordinating cooperation of Armenian state bodies with European structures.

Accoridng to him, the action plan covers five directions – justice, freedom, security, political cooperation, socioeconomic and infrastructure reforms, the press service of NSC said.

“All these directions include a complex package of serious changes that will enable Armenia and EU countries to make progress in various directions,” A. Baghdasarian said.

In his words, starting from 2014 a simplified visa regime is introduced for Armenian citizens traveling to EU countries, while Armenian businessmen may export about 6,000 types of goods ether without payment of customs duties or at reduced rates.

“As part of the agenda, there will be changes in the court and legal system and human rights protection. Armenia’s political system will be upgraded,” Arthur Baghdasarian said.

The sitting participants approved a draft program of measures for 2014-2015 aimed at ensuring the implementation of the Armenia-EU action plan.