Dear colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I am glad to welcome in Yerevan the EU Commissioner Hahn and the Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service Belliard, delegations of the Eastern Partnership countries.

Today is the second time that we are hosting a meeting in this format in Armenia. The previous one was held in September of 2013. My partners and I had productive discussions on all essential dimensions of cooperation within the Eastern Partnership framework. Armenia values its engagement within Eastern Partnership program and today’s meeting in Yerevan is another evidence of that.

We reflected on the outcomes of the Riga summit. It has become an important milestone for the development of relations between the European Union and partner countries. While the summit’s outcome Joint Declaration pinned valuable accents and set the main guidelines for the development of both bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the member states and partner countries.

During the last two years we have focused on the implementation of the provisions of the Riga Declaration. In the case of Armenia, I can say, that throughout this year we have achieved significant results. Six rounds of negotiations were held over the new framework agreement between Armenia and the European Union, in the course of which the sides were able to register a significant progress. We have joined a number of EU programs, such as COSME - for small and medium-sized enterprises, Horizon 2020 on Researches and Innovation. The process of joining the Creative Europe initiative has been launched, which gives an opportunity to expand the range of cultural exchanges. We also expect that negotiations on joining the Common Aviation Area Agreement will start in near future, as well as we hope that the dialogue on visa regime liberalization will be launched soon.

I would like to inform that our consultations on priorities for cooperation between Armenia and EU for 2017-2020 have started.

Seizing this opportunity, I would like to once again express gratitude to the European Union for the years of support, which has played a significant role in the implementation of reforms and strengthening of institutional capacities in Armenia.

I am confident that the outcomes of today’s Ministerial discussions on both foreign affairs and science and innovations will have their positive impact on the further enhancement of cooperation between the European Union and the partner countries ahead of the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in 2017.

Thank you.

RFE/RL, Armenian service: When do you expect to sign the new framework agreement between Armenia and the European Union?

Edward Nalbandian (in addition to the answer given by Johannes Hahn): I would like to add that, as you know, the negotiations were launched in December 2015. Since then we have held six rounds of quite successful negotiations. The negotiating teams have registered a progress. The next round is scheduled for December.

I think that after another two-three rounds we will complete the negotiations. I don’t think it will take more. And after completing the negotiations Armenia will be ready to sign.

Indeed, we understand that the European Union will need to proceed with its internal approval procedures, however, we hope, we are even confident, that the process will pass swiftly and the European Union also will be ready to sign and then we will be both able to put signatures under the framework agreement. But most importantly, both sides - Armenia and the European Union, want the new framework agreement to reflect as thoroughly as possible the quality, depth and volume of relations between Armenia and the European Union that we have today. We are working on this direction. However, it is a process, which we have to finalize, and like Mr. Hahn just said it will be shortly.

Shant TV: Minister Nalbandian, what would be the directions reflected in the framework agreement and what would be the differences with the previous draft, which, so to say, failed?

Edward Nalbandian: Regarding your question, I would like to note that both Armenia and the EU wish to include in the new framework agreement the maximum that we can agree on.

Let me remind, that before the Vilnius Summit we exchanged letters with the High Representative Ashton, in which both our side and the EU clearly stated that, indeed, we are ready to proceed in all the directions as deep and as far as possible, by expanding the scope of our relations and cooperation, taking into account Armenia’s commitments within other integration processes. As I have mentioned, we want the new framework agreement to reflect the whole essence and depth, as well as the high level of relations that we have today. I would like to add that for years we have been deepening, widening and developing those relations with the EU.

Armenia TV: Minister Nalbandian, you mentioned about the negotiations on joining the Common Aviation Area Agreement. Could you please clarify further what area you were referring to? What does this precisely mean to Armenia?

Edward Nalbandian: I expressed hope that these negotiations will be launched. But before that, an appropriate mandate should be given by the EU, which hasn’t been done yet.

We expect that this decision will be made in early December. After the relevant decision all the details will be presented.