YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Tuesday met with Johannes Hahn, European Union (EU) Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, at the UN headquarters in New York.

The parties discussed the avenues for the furtherance of EU-Armenia relations and expansion of cooperation, press office of the government of Armenia informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. Also, they touched upon the steps aimed at implementing the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Pashinyan pointed out that the Armenian government has embarked upon the path of upward democratic development with a view to enforcing the rule of law, promoting human rights, and building a competitive and business-friendly environment in Armenia. Also, the Premier attached importance to EU’s comprehensive support for democratic reforms in the country.

Reflecting on the recent Yerevan City Council elections, Nikol Pashinyan said over 80 percent of the votes cast had gone to My Step Alliance, which means that people have voted for a snap parliamentary election in Armenia. Pashinyan noted that the latest elections proved free and transparent, and the defeated political forces congratulated the winning candidate which, according to him, is unprecedented in Armenia and can set a good example of political culture. The head of the Armenian government also said that he was going to negotiate with other political forces the need to hold an early parliamentary election in Armenia.

Hahn, for his part, noted that the EU will continue its programs and activities aimed at promoting cooperation with Armenia as part of the programs envisaged under the EU-Armenia CEPA, in an effort to develop democracy, enforce the rule of law, protect human rights, and reform the judiciary in Armenia. Also, Johannes Hahn stressed that Armenia can expect continued assistance by the European Union, and in accordance with the government’s priorities.