President hails new milestone in Armenia’s relations with EU

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian leader Serzh Sargsyan took part Wednesday, October 21, in the Madrid-hosted congress of the European People’s Party, headed by EPP President Joseph Daul.

Joining the congress were Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker, heads of EU and European Partnership states and governments representing the EPP member parties.

At the congress, Sargsyan hailed the new milestone in the country’s relations with the EU. The President expressed confidence that negotiations would result in a document outlining comprehensive cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, thus taking Armenia-EU relations to a new level.

“We continue developing democratic institutions, protecting human rights and independence of judiciary in Armenia,” Sargsyan noted. “Armenia initiated constitutional reforms, implemented in close cooperation with the Venice Commission. If approved on December 6, the Constitutional amendments will transform Armenia’s semi-presidential system into a parliamentary one, which, in turn, will help boost economic development, human rights protection and the institutional role of the opposition. We have invited the EU, PACE, OSCE and other international organizations to observe the referendum. I am confident that your participation and experience will give a further impetus to the progress of democracy in Armenia.”

On behalf of Armenian people, Sargsyan hailed the EPP’s efforts in contributing to the adoption of a resolution condemning the Armenian Genocide by the European Parliament, as well as the adoption of the Genocide centennial bill, titled “The Armenian Genocide and European Values” by the EPP Political Assembly. “This proves once again that the European People’s Party remains committed to the protection of the fundamental human rights,” the President concluded.