YEREVAN.- Global crisis will not affect development of relations between EU and eastern partners, said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton.

During a joint press conference held in Yerevan with Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian, the EU official commented on the question whether funding of the programs, in particular Eastern Partnership project, will be reduced in the context of economic crisis.

Although crisis affected everyone, the EU official stressed that Europe wants to keep the promise and preserve pace of development of relations with partners. Ashton said financial factor is not the only important in relationship. It is cooperation, joint work, in particular referring to creation of free trade zone, and is to assist development of small business.

EU High Representative said that during their Wednesday meeting President Sargsyan told her about several hundreds of high-tech companies functioning in Armenia. Catherine Ashton expressed confidence that development of these companies and agriculture will lead to development of economy on the whole.