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Outgoing EU Ambassador to Armenia Piotr Świtalski praised the EU-Armenia relations as ‘excellent’ at a news conference in Yerevan on Monday.

“We have now with Armenia an excellent relationship and all the factors normally taken into account assessing the level of relationship speak in favor of such a statement,” he said.

“First of all, we have a very intense and friendly political dialogue starting at the highest level,” the ambassador stressed, highlighting the recent visit of the European Council chief to Armenia and the Armenian PM’s visit to Brussels.

Świtalski said the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is being now put into the implementation phase after the Armenian side presented the roadmap for its implementation in Brussels last June.

“I believe the Armenian public should have a close eye on the implementation process. The discussions that we are having is that the line ministers of Armenia are now preparing a very concrete action within the framework of the CEPA roadmap and that’s very good,” the diplomat said.

“We have also substantially increased the level of financial support for the development of Armenia. As you know, Armenia received €25 million in the framework of the so-called Umbrella Fund. And the Umbrella Fund is a discretionary fund decided exclusively on the basis of performance. Armenia can be proud that the level of Umbrella Fund for Armenia is higher than for Georgia,” he said, hoping Armenia will be equally rewarding in terms of the size of the EU fund next years as well.

The ambassador stressed the cooperation between the EU and Armenia is on the right track, which the Armenian people appreciate.

Świtalski also citied the findings of a recent public opinion poll, according to which 92% of Armenians believe relations with the European Union are on a good track and developing well.

He said the survey shows more than 60% of Armenians trust the EU, more than 60% have a positive image of the EU and over 70% of Armenians are aware of its financial support to the country.