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On April 29 the representatives of the RA NA factions met with the Conservatives and Reformists Group of the European Parliament.

Thanking for the reception the Head of the Group Martin Callanan said that the goal of their visit was to meet with the Armenian MPs, establish cooperation with political parties and get acquainted with the political problems of Armenia.

In the course of the meeting the path adopted by Armenia in European integration, the quick signing of the Association Agreement, as well as the necessity of reforms in building democracy was highlighted.

The attendees also touched upon the regional problems, particularly the Nagorno Karabakh problem.

The RPA faction member, the Head of the Armenia-European Union Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Samvel Farmanyan noted with satisfaction that the colleagues of the European Parliament noticed the efforts made in Armenia’s European integration. With that respect the NA deputy highlighted the quick signing of the Association Agreement, which would open big perspectives for Armenia in political association and economic integration with the European Union.

The Secretary of the Armenian National Congress faction Aram Manukyan talked about the economic and social situation of Armenia, especially the high level of the index of poverty and unemployment. The Deputy noted that there was also the problem of emigration.

The ARF faction member Vahan Hovhannisyan, the Head of the Heritage faction Rubik Hakobyan and the member of the Prosperous Armenia member Stepan Margaryan highlighted the EU integration processes, underlined the importance of signing of the Association Agreement for Armenia. The deputies talked about the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh problem and balanced approaches of the European Parliament.

The Secretary of the Rule of Law faction Mher Shahgeldyan said that the parties representing by them join different European political families. The deputy has noted that Armenia tries to solve the problems existing in the country through reforms. Mher Shahgeldyan also highlighted the solution of the NK issue through peaceful negotiations.

The Head of the Armenian Delegation to the Eastern Partnership Parliamentary Assembly, the Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations Artak Zakaryan has noted that the rapprochement with the EU and the European integration policy has been and continues to remain one of the priorities of the RA foreign policy. In Artak Zakaryan’s word, Armenia has registered considerable progress in the negotiations over the European Union-Armenia Association Eastern Partnership. He also documented that Armenia would try to bring to an end the negotiations over the Association Agreement until Vilnius Summit of 2013.

During the meeting the Armenian Delegation’s approaches on the reports to be discussed in future in the Euronest PA were also raised. The NA deputy Vahan Hovhannisyan also touched upon that issue.

Artak Zakaryan highlighted the circumstance that the MEPs would not listen to the Azerbaijani anti-propaganda and spreading false impressions. “It’s desirable that they would have occasion to be in Nagorno Karabakh and get acquainted with the situation on the spot,” the Committee Chairman said.

Those present also discussed other issues of mutual interest.