Armenian Parliament Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan discussed the prospects of European integration with the director for Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia of the European Commission Directorate General for International Relations Gunnar Wiegand, Armenian News-NEWS.am reports.

After welcoming Wigand and members of his delegation, who arrived in Yerevan to participate in the 12th round of negotiations on the EU - Armenia Association Agreement, Hovik Abrahamyan expressed satisfaction with the progress of the negotiations. He noted that the relationship between Armenia and the European Union is wide and have good prospects for further development and for the implementation of European standards both in the executive and legislative spheres.

Speaking about the provisions of the Treaty on Free Trade Area, which will be an important part of the Agreement, the Armenian Parliament speaker said that the talks launched in June 2012 are progressing and the Armenian side intends to complete them prior to Vilnius Eastern Partnership Summit in 2013

Gunnar Wiegand recalled his previous visits to the Armenian Parliament, praising the political will of Armenian leadership to establish a closer and deeper relationship with EU. According to European envoy, the prospects for partnership are not formal but rather specific. The partnership refers not only to the commitments of Armenia but also to reverse commitments of EU to Armenia, involving some financial support.

“It is very important that we give the ideas a practical content,” Wiegand said.

Ratification of the document, he said, it is highly desirable prior to Vilnius Summit 2013. Armenian Parliament speaker on his behalf ensured that the Parliament will ratify the Agreement as soon as possible.