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On January 8 the RA National Assembly President Hovik Abrahamyan arrived in Brussels on an official visit.

The Head of the RPA faction Galust Sahakyan, the Head of the ARF faction Armen Rustamyan, the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Artak Zakaryan, the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs Koryun Nahapetyan, the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Artak Davtyan, the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs Davit Harutyunyan, the NA deputies Samvel Farmanyan, Vahe Enfiajyan, Khachik Harutyunyan, the NA Chief of Staff Gurgen Dumanyan and the RA Deputy Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan are in the delegation.

The NA President Hovik Abrahamyan on January 9 met with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle.

In the course of the meeting the sides discussed the development perspectives of the RA-EU relations, highly appreciated the positive dynamics of the already recorded political dynamics and expressed readiness of keeping and continuing it by both sides.

It was noted that progress was recorded in the RA-EU negotiation process: in Association Agreement (AA) and creating and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), at the same time they expressed willingness of reaching to an end the negotiations in 2013, which would give new quality to Armenia-European Union relations.

The sides also touched upon the positive influence of that process on the RA economic and democratic inner reform procedure. They talked about ending the entry visa and readmission negotiation process and the need of quick ratification of the treaties. The fulfillment of those treaties was highlighted, which would pave a path to the liberalization of entry visas for the RA citizens.

Štefan Füle in his turn thanked for the decision of the RA Government, by which the EU citizens can enter into Armenia with getting visas.

The parties also emphasized the readiness of the RA authorities on holding free presidential elections in accordance with European standards.

At the end of the meeting the NA President Hovik Abrahamyan once again thanked for active cooperation and assured that Armenia was ready to use the possibilities and instruments of cooperation, as it was possible.

On the same day the RA National Assembly President Hovik Abrahamyan met with the President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Belgium Sabine de Bethune and the President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives André Flahaut.

The NA President thanked for warm reception in the name of the delegation and him wished them success in the responsible work, and the friendly people of Belgium progress and new achievements in the new year.

During the meeting the inter-parliamentary cooperation and the activation of the contacts of the two countries was highlighted, including the mutual visits of the Parliamentary Friendship Groups and members of the standing committees. The establishment of close cooperation of the MPs in the Parliamentary Assemblies of the international organizations was also emphasized.

To Hovik Abrahamyan’s assessment, the parliamentary diplomacy has big role in strengthening of people’s friendship and we should use it at best.

During the discussion the development perspective of the RA-EU relations was highlighted, including the fact that the principle “more for more” is laid in the basis of the new ideology of the EU Eastern Partnership, which designs provision of more support to the counterpart countries by the European Union for more reforms.

Touching upon the reforms going on in Armenia, the NA President assured them that irrespective of existing problems and challenges in the region, Armenia had firmly chosen the democratic path of state building. Armenia is firm in continuing the deep and comprehensive reforms in accordance with European standards. The European rapprochement policy is one of the key points of not only inner reforms, but also foreign policy agenda for Armenia.

Hovik Abrahamyan referred to the process of the NK conflict settlement, noting that the position of the Armenian side is based on the internationally adopted three principles: they are – the non-use of the force and force threat, the nations’ self-determination and territorial integrity. Azerbaijan continuously impedes this process, building its policy only on the principle of territorial integrity. By the NA President’s assessment, it is not possible not to speak about the compromises by this approach.

Hovik Abrahamyan also noted that distorting the essence of the conflict and the very reasons of the consequences, Azerbaijan also took measures to include other international organizations into the conflict settlement, trying to impede the negotiation process and pursuing campaigning goals, which is absolutely inadmissible.

The former President of the Belgian Senate, now the Vice President of the Senate Armand De Decker objectively assessed the steps taken by the international community and Armenia in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh and the establishment of the Armenian-Turkish relations, expressing conviction that they should be exclusively solved in accordance with international norms and principles.

At the end of the meeting the sides also touched upon the role and importance of the Belgian Armenian community. According to the President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Belgium Sabine de Bethune, in every country the Armenian community is a unique bridge between that country and Armenia, and it is desirable that the bridge will be firm and unshakable. To her assessment, the Armenian community of Belgium makes its contribution in the development of the social-economic sphere of Belgium, as well as the rapprochement of the Armenian-Belgian relations.

Hovik Abrahamyan invited the President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Belgium Sabine de Bethune and the President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives André Flahaut.

The next meeting of the NA President Hovik Abrahamyan was with the Head of the EP EPP faction Joseph Daul.

The NA President recorded with satisfaction that the cooperation with the EU structures had positive development, and highlighted the role of the EPP in the preservation of the European identity and in deepening of cooperation with the European Union counterpart countries.

Hovik Abrahamyan has deemed the membership of the Armenian parties to the EPP stemming from the common Christian heritage, adherence to the principles of fundamental freedoms, democracy and human rights, noticing that Armenia’s striving of developing with European values, principles and standards enjoys the full support of the community. As he has known, during the recent years big efforts have been used on the basis of the European value system led by the President of the Republic of Armenia in building democratic country and deepening the relations with the European Union, the results of which become more and more visible.

The sides also touched upon the negotiations on Association Agreement, which should reach Armenia-EU cooperation to a new quality. The NA President expressed hope to reach the negotiation process to an end until 2013 Vilnius Summit.

The NA President also discussed with the Head of the EPP faction issues concerning the works of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly in multi-lateral format, and the deepening of cooperation with the EU and partner countries with this format was highlighted. It was noted that the deputies of the RA National Assembly were cooperating with the members of the EPP party of the European Parliament within the framework of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, as well as the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee.

Hovik Abrahamyan said that Armenia had launched an initiative for holding the plenary session of the Euronest in Yerevan in 2014.

The sides also touched upon the presidential elections to be held in Armenia on February 18. As to the NA President’s assessment, the Armenian authorities have political will for holding the elections transparent and in accordance with European standards, which would be the best guarantee of Armenia’s further progress.

The NA President emphasized the settlement of Armenia-Turkey relations in terms of regional, as well as international relations. In this issue, Armenia has always taken constructive initiatives, has remained adherent to the spirit of protocols signed in Zurich and is ready to assume its obligations without preconditions. Meanwhile, Turkey continues to advance preconditions lacking in the protocols, which from the beginning are inadmissible for Armenia.

The Head of the NA RPA party faction Galust Sahakyan invited the Head of the EP EPP faction Joseph Daul to Armenia.

On January 19 the NA President Hovik Abrahamyan will have official meetings with the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz and the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy.