Today we decided to launch a work on a new ambitious agenda of European Union-Armenia partnership. Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said during the joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan following the results of the 5th session of the Armenia-EU Partnership Council.

This decision, according to the head of the European diplomacy, sends a strong signal of “mutual interest in a new strategic phase in Armenia-EU relations and will provide a clear road map and a vision for the way forward”.

“Our relations are developing in a positive track. We had the opportunity to discuss the full spectrum of our relations in the framework of Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), but at the same time we also acknowledge that there is room to lock the full potential of this agreement. In October in the European Parliament your Prime Minister said that Armenia is ready to move closer to the European Union. In response, last October the European Council tasked me and the Commission to explore ways to strengthen our relations in all their dimensions. In this context today we decided to launch a work on a new ambitious agenda of our partnership. This decision sends a strong signal of mutual interest in a new strategic phase in our relations and will provide a clear road map and a vision for the way forward. This is about the future the future starts today. Human rights, the rule of law and democratic principles continue to underpin our cooperation. I welcome the steps taken in the justice reform, the fight against corruption and encourage Armenia to further address challenges in the fight against discrimination, hate speech and disinformation,” Borrell stressed.

The EU High Representative congratulated Armenia on becoming the 124nd member state of the Rome statute of the International criminal court.

“That's a very important and courageous decision from your side,” Borrell said.

The head of the European diplomacy informed that the option of starting a visa liberalization dialogue with the European Union was discussed, encouraging Armenia “to further step up reforms in order to progress in this issue together”.

“We discuss how to strengthen our relationship and in particular the resilience of Armenia notably in trade, on energy, connectivity and aviation safety. We will also help decommission the Metsamor nuclear power plant while improving nuclear safety. I reaffirm the European Union commitment to support Armenia's participation in the Black Sea Electricity Cable Project and other regional connectivity projects. This initiative has a strong potential to serve dividence for peace,” the European official said.

Borrell expressed EU’s full commitment to further enhancing mutual cooperation in the areas of security and defense.

“We will build our dialogue on foreign security policy in the coming months. Today’s meetings clearly show that EU-Armenia relations are stronger than ever, the mutual interest to advance them further, our commitment to develop this agenda, an ambitious agenda for our renew partnership. We will continue supporting the Armenians displace from Nagorno-Karabakh region.  Today the commission announced an additional 5.5 million euros in humanitarian aid. This funding comes in addition to the 12.2 million already provided in September to address the urgent humanitarian needs, as well as 15 million budget support for the socio-economic needs of Armenia. We will continue supporting Armenia in the medium and long-term for the integration of refugees in your society and economy,” Borrell said.