YEREVAN. -  A regular meeting of EU Advisory Group was held on Monday in Yerevan.

The twelfth advisory board meeting was co-chaired by Armenia’s National Security Council (NSC) Arthur Baghdasaryan received and head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Traian Hristea.

High-ranking officials from the President’s Office, the Government and the National Assembly, Embassies of EU Member States and international organizations, including UNDP attended the meeting.

In his speech Baghdasaryan noted that Armenia-EU relations have reached a new stage, NSCs press service reported.

“A roadmap for Armenia-EU cooperation has been drawn. We plan to reach signing of the Association Agreement during the November summit in Vilnius,” Baghdasaryan said.

He noted that they will discuss the further activities of the EU Advisory Group, at the same time stressing the need for reforms.

During the meeting, the Advisory Board expressed its satisfaction with EUAG policy guidance last year and endorsed the EUAG 2012 Annual Report.

Ambassador Traian Hristea expressed appreciation for the achievements of the project in the past. “The EU Advisory Group is a landmark EU funded project that has provided assistance to Armenia on the path towards closer EU integration. The time has now come to build on developments in preparation for the future EU-Armenia Association Agreement package. The EU Advisory Group will continue to support this important reform process,” he added. During 2012, the EU Advisory Group also supported initial steps towards setting-up a probation service in-line with European standards, says the statement posted on Advisory Group website.

The Annual Report highlights policy advice provided in strengthening democratic structures. This work resulted in wider public debate with civil society, and a first meeting of the EURONEST Committee on Social Affairs, Education, Culture and Civil Society in Yerevan. Meanwhile, three Armenian political parties gained observer member status in the European People’s Party.