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On February 24, the Second Meeting of Armenia-EU Parliamentary Partnership Committee (PPC) was held, where Hakob Arshakyan gave an opening speech.

“Dear Co-Chairs,

Dear Mrs Ambassador,

Dear colleagues,

Ladies and gentlemen.

I welcome you in Yerevan on the occasion of holding the Second Meeting of Armenia-EU Parliamentary Partnership Committee. Today, I am glad that we have an opportunity to discuss the current situation of cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union, the collaboration between the National Assembly and the European Parliament, as well as other agenda items of bilateral interest. I would like to mention that the development of the partnership with the European Union has been and continues remaining one of the important doctrines of the foreign policy of the Republic of Armenia.

Highlighting the role of the parliamentary diplomacy in the modern international relations, we are permanently ready to have a dialogue with our European colleagues in the parliamentary different formats, for discussing regional problems and supporting their solutions, Armenia continues remaining faithful for the establishment of the common agenda directed to the deepening of already existing close partnership, which confidently will promote the regional stability and development.

The entering into force of the RA-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement from March 1, 2021 has opened new perspectives for implementing new programme of cooperation with the EU member countries. I would like to express our sincere gratitude for the significant financial support being provided by the European Union, which will be aimed at the implementation of a number of guideline initiatives.

By holding free and fair snap parliamentary elections last year we reaffirmed our faithfulness to democratic values. I assure you that the authorities of Armenia consider of priority the ensuring of continuity of the institutional reforms and the irreversibility of democratic reforms.

Dear colleagues,

The events of the previous year have created new reality in our region and outside it. The grave consequences of the 44-day war of September 2020 unleashed by Azerbaijan and Turkey against Nagorno Karabakh have become irreversible for us. Today, we face security challenges. The peace of the region is endangered and the stability is fragile. The penetration of the Azerbaijani armed forces to the sovereign territory of Armenia is a more dangerous development. The situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border is tense from May 12, 2021. The encroachments against the Republic of Armenia resulted in human losses and seriously endangered the regional security.

Armenia strictly condemns the military actions by Azerbaijan, which damages the regional peace and security.

We expect from our international colleagues urgent and addressed response to the illegal actions of Azerbaijan, including the penetration to the sovereign territory of Armenia and the provoking further escalations on the borders by Azerbaijan. To our deepest conviction, the use of force cannot promote the establishment of the events for strengthening trust, as well as the atmosphere of peace.

In this respect I would like to express my gratitude to the members of the European Parliament for showing position of principle after 44-day war. I would like to especially touch upon the resolution adopted by the overwhelming majority of the votes in the European Parliament on the return of Armenian prisoners of war, and with this the European Parliament demands the urgent and unreserved release of all arrested Armenians captives, the military and the civilians during the conflict and after it.

On May 19, 2021 at the Plenary Session of the European Parliament as a result of voting the resolution-report on Turkey was also approved, where the European Union reaffirms the call on recognizing the Armenian Genocide. It also calls on Turkey to refrain from any kind of anti-Armenian campaign and speech of hatred and fully respect the commitment of protecting the Armenian culture. In the report the negative role of Turkey in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is also referred to. In the reports the EU side reaffirms the call on recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Unfortunately, the non-recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the denial of the genocide results in new genocides and wars.

Dear colleagues,

We are convinced that the resuming of the peaceful settlement process of the Karabakh problem under the auspice of the OSCE Minks Group Co-Chairmanship, the full implementation of the trilateral statements of November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021, the elimination of the consequences of their violations, including the preservation of the unreserved ceasefire regime, the withdrawal of the Azerbaijani armed forces from the RA sovereign territory, the urgent return of prisoners of war and the civilian hostages can create conditions for strengthening peace and security.

Armenia greatly highlights having normal relations with the neighbouring states. We are for and trying to establish relations with open borders in the region and anchored on the partnership. I would like to inform you that my colleague, the Vice President of the RA National Assembly Ruben Rubinyan, as a representative of the Republic of Armenia met with the representative of Turkey Serdar Kilic on January 14. Today, the second meeting of the convoys will be held in Vienna. We are hopeful that Turkey will review the policy of the closed borders towards independent Armenia since 1993.

We are ready to have bridges of cooperation with the neighbouring countries, as well as the international organizations functioning in different formats for the benefit of the development of our country and strengthening of peace in the region. I am sure that the European Union is the structure, which with its mission will support the establishment of peace and stability, and we, the parliamentarians, will use all levers of parliamentary diplomacy in the establishment and of democratic values in the region and its honouring.

I once again welcome my colleagues in Armenia and wish you effective work.

Thank you,” the NA Vice President Hakob Arshakyan in his speech.