On Monday 14 January, Mr. Avet Adonts, Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on European Integration received the delegation, headed by Mr. Peter Semneby, Ambassador, EU Special Representative for South Caucasus. The sides referred to the relations of the European Union and the Republic of Armenia, regional problems and upcoming presidential elections.

Mr. Adonts considered necessary the development of EU-Armenia relations, noting that the European integration continues to remain the priority of Armenia’s foreign policy. He emphasized the regional cooperation and the development of partnership. Mr. Adonts noted that the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan should be turned into concrete, pragmatic and practical one. Speaking about further development of Armenia-NATO relations, Mr. Adonts said that Armenia is for the development of relations with NATO and their more deepening. To his conviction, Armenia should use the experience of NATO in the sphere of security within the realm of possibility.

Mr. Avet Adonts, Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on European Integration, stressed the conduct of the presidential elections in compliance with European standards. He believes that both the political forces of opposition and authorities must be be interested in holding qualitative elections.

Mr. Peter Semneby, Ambassador, EU Special Representative for South Caucasus, stressed the presidential elections from the view of the country’s further development. According to him, the elections clarify the quality of the public life and the relations with partner states. Referring to the Armenian-Turkish relations, Mr. Semneby highlighted their improvement also in the context of regional developments and expressing readiness for the support of the European Union.

In response to Mr. Semneby’s question, Mr. Avet Adonts noted that in the issue of the European Union there are no disagreements among the political forces, everybody is aware of the importance of the process of European integration. Mr. Adonts is sure that the EU has not exhausted its opportunities from the view of the settlement of the Armenian-Turkish relationship. He expressed conviction that the EU can promote the establishment of inner-state relations of Armenia and Turkey. In his opinion the settlement of the Armenian-Turkish relations can be an important stimulus of the regional stable development.

At the meeting the sides discussed other issues of bilateral interest and further cooperation.