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On February 24, the regular meeting of the Armenia-EU Parliamentary Partnership Committee (PCC) was held, which moderated the Co-Chairs Arman Yeghoyan and Marina Kaljurand

The RA NA Vice President, the NA Acting President Hakob Arshakyan gave a welcome speech.

Welcoming the guests in the RA National Assembly, the Co-Chair of the Armenia-EU Parliamentary Partnership Committee Arman Yeghoyan has underlined thեսե value, ideological, cultural similarities greatly contribute to the rapid dynamics of the development of the relations between the European Union and Armenia. He touched the role of parliamentary diplomacy.

According to Arman Yeghoyan, after the Velvet Revolution of 2018, major focus has been placed on the key issues of establishment and development of democratic institutions and protection of human rights in Armenia, which are cornerstone values of Western civilization. He has added that the European Union-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement that entered into force on March 1, 2021, contributes significantly to the abovementioned reform processes, which is of prominent importance for the modernization of Armenia.

Speaking about the challenges of the last two years abounding humanity, the Co-Chair of the Armenian side underlined that the assistance provided by the European Union especially in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. Arman Yeghoyan drew the attention of the attendees to the fact that amid the pandemic, the principle of non-use of force was grossly violated: Nagorno Karabakh was attacked by Azerbaijan.

“The devastating war caused thousands of casualties, thousands were displaced, and many captives have not yet returned home 15 months after the war. For years the Armenian side has spoken about the differentiated approach of international actors, which is a factor influencing regional security and stability. The debates in the European Parliament, the adopted resolutions reaffirm that Europe shares the same convictions together with Armenia․” the MP said.

As the Chair of the NA Standing Committee on European Integration has assessed, Armenia evaluates the full resuming of the negotiations over the comprehensive and the lasting settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict under the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship.

In her opening speech Marina Kaljurand has noted that Armenia and the EU work on the reforms in a number of strategic spheres, noting: “Our common goal is to have secure, democratic and prosperous Armenia.” She has noted that the EU backs Armenia in the process of calling into life the agenda of the reforms and the development of democracy.

Touching upon the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, the Co-Chair has noted that it is not resolved yet, which one-sidedly claims Azerbaijan. According to her, the war is not a solution of the problem: a comprehensive agreement should be, negotiations should go on with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship. To the guest’s conviction, the long-term solution and goal of the problems should be the peace.

The delegate highlighted the unblocking of the infrastructures in the region, the normalisation of the Armenian-Turkish relations and touched upon the situation created around Ukraine.

Marina Kaljurand also spoke about the penetration into the territory of Armenia by the armed forces of Azerbaijan. According to her, the return of Armenian prisoners of war and other detainees held in Azerbaijan should be released, and as the problem has not been resolved she will continue raising that issue.

The RA NA Deputy Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan delivered a speech on the theme ‘The current situation of the EU-Armenia relations, application of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced

Partnership Agreement: the EU support to Armenia. The Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin also referred to the vision of the development of the RA-EU relations, the reforms implementing in our country within the framework of the agenda item.

Afterwards issues regarding the ongoing political developments and reforms in our country were discussed. The deputies of the Civil Contract Faction Sargis Khandanyan and Tatevik Gasparyan, from the Armenia Faction Hripsime Stambulyan and Aram Vardevanyan, the deputy from With Honor Faction Hayk Mamijanyan spoke about the implemented reforms, as well as the omissions existing in a number of spheres.

Issues on mechanisms of fight against slander and disinformation, the freedom of speech, the protection of human rights were discussed.

Marina Kaljurand has underlined that Armenia is on the democratic reform path, of course, there are still omissions which should be rectified. She especially related to the necessity of the improvements in the justice and judicial systems and the implementation of the constitutional reforms.

The issue on Nagorno Karabakh conflict and the regional security developments was also one of the agenda items. The deputies touched upon the key issues of peace and security in the region. The urgent return of Armenian prisoners of war and the civilians was highlighted, which is a violation of trilateral statement provisions. The addressed assessment of the international community to the actions of Azerbaijan was underscored, the priority of the preservation of the Armenian cultural and religious values on the territories passed to Azerbaijan after 44-day war was spoken about. In this context the need of ensuring the entry of the Nagorno Karabakh international humanitarian organziations was stressed.

The next meeting of the Committee will be held next year.

At the end of the meeting the joint statement by the Co-Chairs of the Armenia-EU Parliamentary Partnership Committee Arman Yeghoyan and Marina Kaljurand was adopted.