The sixteenth Cooperation Council between the
European Union and the Republic of Armenia took place in Brussels on Monday, 18
January.
Both sides reconfirmed their joint commitment to
enhance and deepen their cooperation in all areas possible, welcoming the
launch of negotiations for a future agreement to replace the current outdated
Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. They also welcomed the good progress
made in implementing the Mobility Partnership, with the EU reiterating its
commitment to enhance the mobility of Armenian citizens.
The Cooperation Council reviewed recent
political, economic and social reforms in Armenia. The EU took note of progress
achieved in implementing these reforms and of Armenia's commitment to continue
on this positive trajectory.
The EU encouraged Armenia to accelerate reforms in
specific areas, notably democracy and the rule of law, anti-corruption, human
rights and fundamental freedoms, constitutional and judicial reform. EU support
for the development of Armenia's private sector, reform of its public
administration and of its justice sector will total between EUR 140 and 170
million over the period 2014-2017.
Regional issues of common interest were also
discussed, including prospects for the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. Encouraging further dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the EU
reaffirmed that the status quo is unsustainable and the peaceful resolution of
this conflict remains a priority issue for the EU.
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