On June 21, Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan took part in the first session of the Armenia-EU Partnership Council. Among the members of the delegation headed by the Foreign Minister were the Adviser to Deputy Prime Minister Hovhannes Azizyan, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investments Mane Adamyan, Deputy Minister of Justice Vigen Kocharyan, Deputy Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources Hakob Vardanyan and Deputy Minister of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies Bagrat Badalyan. The European delegation was headed by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini.

The sides specifically emphasized that this was the first meeting after the start of provisional implementation of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, underlining that the Partnership Council gives an opportunity to summarize the current level of implementation of the general agenda and to outline prospects for further strengthening of cooperation. The sides reiterated the importance of the agreement as the legal basis for relations that practically encompasses all vital areas and cooperation frameworks.

Both sides underlined the importance of the agreement in promoting reforms and development agenda in Armenia, as well as deepening of cooperation with the EU member states.

The interlocutors stressed the importance of this meeting after the recent developments in Armenia. The Armenian side presented in detailed manner the new government’s undertakings related to the rule of law, strengthening of democratic principles, protection of human rights, improving the effectiveness of fight against corruption, as well as realization of our priorities in economic, social, and other spheres.

Thoughts were exchanged about issues on the agenda of the Armenia-EU relations. The sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen and expand the comprehensive collaboration in all the spheres of mutual interest.

The sides touched upon the issues related to political dialogue, cooperation in trade, economic, transport, communication and energy spheres, as well as questions related to mobility and visa liberalization, for each of which exist clear guidelines for actions.

Following the first session of the Armenia-EU Partnership Council, joint press statement was adopted.

A joint press conference of Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and EU High Representative Mogherini was held at the end of the meeting.