make preferableYEREVAN. – The agenda of the Armenia-European Union (EU) dialogue was discussed at the Armenian National Assembly (NA) with experts from Europe.
Naira Zohrabyan, who is Chairperson of the NA Standing Committee on European Integration, on Monday met with the experts who are visiting Armenia within the framework of the EU Advisory Group.
In the course of the meeting, the parties touched upon the activities of the EU Advisory Group and outlined the upcoming programs with the EU, particularly the ways of formation of the necessary agenda for continuing the Armenia-EU dialogue.
Assessing the work of the EU Advisory Group, Naira Zohrabyan noted the positive side that the team had done, particularly, helping in preparation of the EU Association Agreement, and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Treaty as its main component. The Committee Chair, however, also voiced the problems that the European Union should certainly revise while elaborating its policy in the region, and especially in Armenia.
The parties touched upon the problem of budgetary control, noting that the money being allocated to the state budget from the EU has the problem of the most serious control.
Naira Zohrabyan voiced the issue of some NGOs receiving grants from the EU, as a result of which, the work is not visible. She noted the directions where the EU position will be distinctly noticeable in proliferating right and literate lobbying of the European values among the society. In this respect, the Committee Chair highlighted the involvement of the wider circles in this process. She recalled that the sitting of the Euronest PA Political Committee is scheduled for November 4 and5, and further cooperation between the Eastern Partnership and European Union is also on the agenda. Naira Zohrabyan also referred to the formation of the upcoming agenda of the Armenia-EU relations, noting the main directions necessary for advancing the dialogue.
