YEREVAN. – The European Union will negotiate with Armenia on a new legal basis, Mr Johannes Hahn, the European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement, said at the plenary session of the Euronest parliamentary assembly on March 18 in Yerevan.

His delegation has recently concluded exploratory talks, which will lead to negotiations on a new legal basis for partnership, he added.

He remarked that the Eastern partners of the EU are diverse, and while the EU encourages further reforms in Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia, which have already embraced European association, the European Union wants to strengthen the scope of future cooperation with Armenia and Azerbaijan respectively.

“We are hopeful to establish a new scope of fruitful bilateral cooperation, bearing in mind Armenia’s other international commitments,”he said.

He noted that Brussels will stay focused on supporting Yerevan in good governance, human rights, fighting corruption, reforming the judiciary system, and implementing the Mobility partnership and visa facilitation and readmission agreements – these two already in force.

“Moreover, we will continue to promote civil society in Armenia,” EU Commissioner emphasized.