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On February 22 the RA National Assembly Speaker Samvel Nikoyan received the delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament, led by Andrey Kovatchev, MEP, Head of the delegation.

Welcoming the visit of the delegation to the National Assembly, Mr Nikoyan has noted that the deepening of the European integration is one of the priorities of the RA foreign policy, and any step directed to it is appraisable. The NA Speaker highlighted the inter-parliamentary mutual contacts and visits at the highest level, as well as the integration of the political forces into European political family. One of the good examples of the partnership is also the meeting of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Education, Culture and Civil Society of EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly to be held in Yerevan on February 22-23, which is for the first time organized outside the European Parliament premises. Mr Nikoyan underlined the constructive activity of the Armenian delegation to EURONEST, assessing it as one of the important instruments of the European integration. At the same time he has noted that it’s not desirable that this structure is used as a platform of discussion concerning the regional conflicts. In the NA Speaker’s word, problems of numerous mutual interest exist, and the Armenian side is willing for open discussions and further deepening of cooperation.

Andrey Kovatchev, expressing gratitude for the reception and lively cooperation, has noted with satisfaction that now the negotiations of Armenia-European Union Association Agreement is going on, where a big progress is recorded, and 22 chapters relating to cooperation on the spheres of the future Agreement have been temporarily closed. According to him, soon the negotiations on establishing deep and comprehensive free trade zone and visa facilitation and readmission agreements will begin. They are instruments, which will make closer the cooperation with the European Union. In his word, the EU and the European Parliament are also ready to help their counterparts of Armenia in the regional problems, emphasizing the implementation of the events shaping mutual trust. Touching upon the upcoming parliamentary elections, Andrey Kovatchev has noted that they expect holding democratic, free and independent elections. He has said that the representatives of the European Parliament will attend the upcoming elections.

The NA Speaker also referred to the NK conflict settlement process, regional cooperation problems. Mr Nikoyan has noted that Armenia is ready for cooperation of any level, at the same time considering inadmissible the use of double standards. The NA Speaker underscored the resoluteness of the Armenian authorities to hold the upcoming elections in compliance with law and international standards, introduced the steps taken in that direction.

The NA Speaker also answered the questions raised in the meeting. The representatives of the delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament, as well as the RA NA factions presented their views and approaches.