The Government of the Republic of Armenia

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European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle - We had a very important and informative discussion. I think that the most important thing is that the negotiating team and we have not left any doubt as to whether we will assist Armenia on its way to Europe to the benefit of the citizens of Armenia, the Republic of Armenia and the European Union.

We are standing on solid foundations and are moving forward with confidence in Armenian reforms. We appreciated it by allocating additional EUR15 million under the “more for more” principle in the context of the European Neighborhood Policy. Just a few minutes ago, we signed two assistance arrangements with the Prime Minister to a total amount of EUR43mn that will help prepare Armenian institutions for political association and economic integration with the European Union.

We also discussed how to combine the efforts of Armenia’s international partners to push ahead with the most important nationwide reforms.

Each time I take a look, I can see progress toward visa facilitation and negotiation of agreements on readmission and in other areas, particularly in the talks on the Association Agreement and the deep and comprehensive free trade agreement. This agreement has a few things to bring our relationship to a higher level. It can not be reduced to a simple free trade agreement. With this agreement, the European Union will open up part of its internal market-related regulatory framework before Armenia.

This will be felt by all the citizens of Armenia both in terms of consumer protection, and in terms of environmental protection, road safety etc. The most important thing is that the agreement refers to values, Armenian men and women - through enhanced freedoms, rights and guarantees. The agreement seeks full realization of this potential.

We discussed many issues, including how we can translate the existing worksheet into specific actions from reform measures. We discussed the role of the working group in Armenia and the civil society in the reform process. I hope that they will have to play an increasingly important role in the reform process. One of the most urgent reforms is in the field of democracy.

I am also going to discuss with the representatives of both the Government and the opposition a number of OSCE ODIHR-proposed specific measures that we would like to see implemented before the presidential election in 2013. Successful elections are important, otherwise they may they interrupted the continuity and integrity of reforms.

Mr. Prime Minister, thank you very much for fruitful discussion and those conclusions to which we have come.

Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan - Dear colleagues, Mr Füle’s visit to Armenia is a unique opportunity to assess the work performed, to identify our strengths and weaknesses, and clarify the steps to come. From this point of view, on behalf of the Government I wish to thank the European Union and Mr Füle for the support provided to my government.

It is obvious that the financial and technical assistance and the documents we signed with Mr Füle will enable us to significantly increase the capabilities of our Government. This includes both the development of infrastructures, sanitary and phytosanitary problems, legislative reforms, improvement of customs procedures and the strengthening of democratic institutions.

A gap is still dividing our capabilities and the stated objectives: a gap we are trying to fill with the financial and technical assistance of the European Union.

We do believe that the signing of these documents, as well as the talks that we have completed with Mr Füle, will give a new impetus to the EU-Armenia integration process. Also, I would like to thank Mr Füle for fruitful cooperation and the efforts he has made in achieving progress toward Armenia’s integration with the European Union.

Question to European Union Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Štefan Füle - Mr Füle, how can Armenia put trust in the European Union after Azerbaijan has violated the ruling of the European Court (I mean Ramil Safarov). Which way would the EU have responded, if it had been Breivik’s case? Would the European Union not go beyond mere declarations?

European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle – You may be well aware of the positions expressed not only by the European Union, but also by other organizations. I fully respect the position and attitude of the Armenians, and the right to express their outrage.

Let me take this opportunity to once again express my deep concern and regret over the harm, damage caused to the peace process because of the pardon Safarov and the glorification of his crime on the part of some individuals. This is in part based on the values of cooperation is an important task for us and this is how we came to this issue.

At the same time, I continue to call for restraint in words and in actions. We must continue to work for peace because it is only through peace and stability we can add value to the other goals. The implementation by Armenia of its enormous potential depends on the stability and predictability, which can only be achieved through the elimination of the threat of conflict.

Question by “Haykakan Zhamanak” daily - Mr Füle, you said to have witnessed satisfactory progress in Armenia reforms. How come that as compared with the year 2011 European investments into Armenia declined in the first half of this year, especially given the fact that the European capital goes to third countries because of the existing problems in Europe?

European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle - You answered your question to some extent. We are going through days of crisis, we are really in a crisis, and there is lack of confidence in Euro and foreign investments.

At the same time, there are the negotiations on the Association Agreement, but it would be naive to say that the ongoing talks on the Association Agreement and the deep and comprehensive free trade agreement may lead to improved investment climate as soon as tomorrow.

As to the assistance provided to the Government of Armenia, there are a number of tasks to be solved yet in the short to medium term in order to better the business and investment climate.

But the growth of investment will be really stimulated, if we can synchronize our market-related regulatory frameworks. The goal of all the work is just that. When I said that we see positive steps in this direction, meant it.

Our goal is to prepare the ground for making of Armenia an attractive haven for investment, provide a better business environment for those businesses wishing to take advantage of market opportunities and create such government agencies as might please the citizens of Armenia. Are we moving in this direction? Yes, we are. Has the Government the necessary will to make the targeted improvements? Yes, it has. Are we ready to back these efforts? Yes, we are.

This process will be more successful, if civil society is involved in it. We have discussed the matter with the Prime Minister, and a process will soon be launched to that effect.