Armenia ready to unveil EU cooperation proposals: Minister

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian government is ready to present new proposals for a more thorough cooperation with the European Union, the country's Economy Minister said Wednesday, November 4 at the 16th session of the Armenia-EU Cooperation Committee in Yerevan.

According to Karen Chshmarityan, the parties will discuss a wide range of issues concerning the economic, cultural and scientific ties and political relations.

As he noted, almost all Armenian government agencies will present their proposals and suggestions concerning cooperation in agriculture, energy, transport and communications, in particular.

Chshmarityan added that Armenia and the EU will soon sign the Horizon 2020 agreement: last month, the European Union granted a 75% discount on Armenia's Horizon 2020 Program membership fee, ARKA reports.

The European External Action Service Director for Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, Regional Cooperation and OSCE, Gunnar Wiegand, in turn, said that both sides worked hard to determine the new legal framework of relations. He expressed confidence that the new agreement will serve both Armenia and EU’s interests.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, as well as Armenia –Turkey relations.

In January-September, 2015 Armenia-EU trade turnover dropped by 25.8% against the same period of 2014, totaling $881 million.