YEREVAN.- The EU is interested in cooperation with Armenia to ensure democracy in the country, European Commission head said in Yerevan.

José Manuel Barroso noted that free, fair and transparent elections are the basis of democracy. In this context, the EU welcomes Armenia’s efforts into holding more transparent and competitive elections.

The 2013 presidential elections will become a test and the EU wants to see implementation of the OSCE/ ODIHR recommendations ahead of the vote. The democracy must be built daily, in different directions, he emphasized.

Barroso outlined that the democracy is built on respect for the law, judiciary and fight against corruption.  

The reforms are in the interests of every Armenian citizen. It means Armenia will use the EU philosophy: the more reforms are carried out, the more EU’s assistance will be. 

“I do not mean only financial aid, although Armenia has received additional €15 million through integration in European Partnership project,” he said, adding that the reforms helped to initial the agreement relaxing visa requirements. Armenia’s citizens are expected to have relaxed requirements for getting visa by the end of this year, Barroso said.