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Below is the speech of Chairman of the NA Standing Committee of Foreign Relations Artak Zakaryan in Euronest Parliamentary Assembly. 

I would like to thank our Europarliament partners for such high level meeting and providing constructive working atmosphere. Also want to greet the authors of the report Mr. Dolidze and Mr. Protasevich. I think that the draft reports are very useful and interesting.

Deep and advanced relations with the EU and Eastern Partnership member states has always been and will remain as one of the main vectors of the Armenian foreign policy. The strengthening process of political dialogue, economic cooperation and cultural ties with the European countries are one of the main priorities of the Armenian foreign policy. On November 29, the President of Armenia participated in the third Summit of the Eastern Partnership in Vilnius, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to develop and enhance the comprehensive partnership in all areas of mutual interest.

In this context, Armenia-EU issued a Joint Statement and the Armenian Foreign Minister and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy exchanged letters which outline the future agenda of Armenia-EU cooperation.

The further active cooperation between Armenia and EU will be directed to the continuous improvement of democratic institutions and judicial system, enhancement of human rights and rule of law, good governance, fight against corruption, enhancement of civil society, improvement of environment for the enlarged trade and investments, continuous implementation of mobility partnership, as well as expansion of sectoral cooperation.

Regarding Armenian’s sovereign decision of joining the Customs Union, I would like to note that this political decision derives from a number of vital national and state interests.

Russia has always been and remains Armenia’s strategic partner, about what we have always openly talked at all Euronest Parliamentary Assembly meetings and discussions. Our decision of joining the Customs Union can never influence commitments we have in relations with Europe.

We are against dividing lines policy and think that Eastern Partnership should become the natural bridge spreading the economic integration from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. We continue to be responsible for our commitments within the framework of Eastern Partnership.

We believe that 2014 will mark the start of the new phase in Eastern Partnership with development of more effective political cooperation.