A meeting dedicated to the sixth anniversary of the Comprehensive and Extended Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in 2017 was convened today with the participation of representatives of the European Union (EU) delegation, the EU headquarters and the government of the Republic of Armenia. The purpose of the meeting was also to emphasize the importance of the GCC within the framework of RA-EU relations, as well as to assess the current stage of implementation and increase efficiency.
Seventy participants who actively participated in the exchange of ideas between colleagues attended the external meeting of the ACE. The meeting has become a unique platform to assess the progress of the GCC and plan meaningful strategies to promote implementation. Representatives of the Government of Armenia presented details of their experience in the implementation of the GCC, discussed issues related to successes, challenges, needs and ways to work better together.
During the outgoing session, the Government of the Republic of Armenia outlined specific areas in which reforms related to the GCC were successfully implemented, demonstrating the tangible achievements recorded thanks to the agreement. The areas in which the reforms were implemented with particular difficulties were noted, drawing attention to the ways of strengthening monitoring and communication and emphasizing that the Armenia-EU partnership has a collaborative nature.
The head of the EU delegation in Armenia, Ambassador Vasilis Maragos, highly appreciated the long-term cooperation with Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan and the efforts to promote tangible and sustainable results for the benefit of the citizens of Armenia. Emphasizing the importance of the GCC as an important tool for engaging in such a format, Ambassador Maragos noted the common values and interests that exist between the European Union and the Republic of Armenia. The ambassador reaffirmed the support for democratic and economic reforms, which will allow to contribute to the acceleration of the modernization process of Armenia.
Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan noted that the implementation of the GCC, despite the difficult situations that developed after its signing, was continuous. The Deputy Prime Minister thanked the EU for providing an accelerated procedure for supporting reforms and economic initiatives aimed at ensuring the rule of law. Deputy Prime Minister Grigoryan reaffirmed that Armenia is ready to deepen cooperation with the EU and move forward on the path of implementing key reforms. He emphasized the active role of the EU in introducing the knowledge and experience of the EU member states at this stage of Armenia’s development.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to contribute to the implementation of the GCC with more effective cooperation, expressing their commitment to further strengthening the EU-Armenia partnership.
