The Cooperation Council (CC) between the European Union (EU) and the Republic of Armenia held its tenth meeting Oct. 26 chaired by RA Foreign Minister Mr Edward Nalbandyan. Mr Carl Bildt was accompanied by Mr Javier Solana, Mr Hugues Mingarelli, and Mr Diego López Garrido also participated, the EU press release reads.

The parties discussed EU-Armenia European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan, EU-Armenia relations, rule of law, human rights and freedoms and EU readiness to support Armenian democratic institutions.

CC welcomed the signature of Armenia-Turkey Protocols “relating to the establishment of diplomatic relations and the development of bilateral relations between the two countries, including the opening of the border,” the pres release reads. It also underlined that “the full normalisation of bilateral relations between Armenia and Turkey would be an important contribution to security, stability and cooperation throughout this crucial region. The EU will continue to offer its political and technical support to this process,” the paper says.

"CC explored the state of play concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The EU welcomed the intensified dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan within the OSCE Minsk Group, which has enabled to narrow the differences and indicated its willingness to support confidence building measures to facilitate the process of resolving the conflict.

The plenary meeting of the CC was preceded by a joint ministerial working breakfast between the EU and Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to discuss Eastern Partnership and prospects for deeper cooperation between the EU and the three South Caucasian countries, as well as Conflict Resolution.