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On November 2 in the parliament the twelfth RA-EU Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (PCC) Meeting was held.

Hovik Abrahamyan, President of the Armenian National Assembly, delivered his welcoming speech.

"Distinguished members of the Armenia-EU Parliamentary Cooperation Committee,

Esteemed ambassadors,

Dear guests,

I am pleased to welcome you at the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia . This is the first meeting for the European members of the Armenia-EU PCC in Yerevan , and I am happy to say – welcome to Yerevan .

Today the committee has convened for its regular meeting to review the annual work. As at every meeting this time, too, our colleagues will address both the success we have registered and current problems. Future activity will also be anticipated.

The committee which was set up twelve years ago with the view of holding a political dialogue between the members of the European Parliament and the Armenian National Assembly, due to its consistent work succeeded in promoting the joint agenda of Armenia and the EU.

As I have stated many times, the European dimension and our rapprochement with the EU is one of the priorities of the foreign and domestic policy of our country, and we attach great importance to the items placed on the EU-Armenia cooperation agenda at this stage, which relate more to a closer cooperation, in particular in the fields of foreign and security policy, democracy, economic integration, mobility, human rights and energy.

I also wish to focus on the following: less than a year has passed since the launch of the Association Agreement process with the EU. At present we have accomplished nineteen chapters of the agreement.

Dear Colleagues,

While leaving the detailed analysis of the completed work to the committee members, I would like to briefly touch upon the reforms and steps undertaken by Armenia recently on its way to European integration.

Quite recently following broad discussions a new Electoral Code was finalized and passed, enabling to hold free and fair elections.

Another achievement, in my view, is the new law on the Freedom of Assembly, aimed at ensuring the right to freely organize and attend rallies set forth by Article 29 of the RA Constitution and international treaties. The new law provides the necessary machinery regulating the terms and procedure for the exercise and defence of the freedom of rallies. The interference of different authorities in restricting rallies is the minimum, thus excluding the arbitrariness in prohibiting rallies.

Dear Colleagues,

A few days after the constituent meeting of the EURONEST I would like to refer to the Assembly. Today we are pleased to state that a multiparty parliamentary assembly is set up, and I wish to mention that the Armenian National Assembly was among the first to respond to the establishment thereof, carrying out the preparation needed for it without any delay. This inter-parliamentary assembly is the parliamentary leverage of the Eastern Partnership policy, which should create the necessary conditions for promoting the political association and economic integration between the EU and Eastern Partnership states. The Assembly cannot function fully, if instead of issues of regional cooperation only matters related to conflicts are put on the table.

The European Union having established lasting peace and prosperity in its space is a role model of political and economic integration for the world. It is my strong belief that this experience could be localized in South Caucasus , if all parties display the necessary political will. The Republic of Armenia openly supports the normal development of relations with its neighbours and deepening of regional cooperation.

Dear Colleagues,

The Armenian National Assembly focuses on the active dialogue with the civil society. In this context the Memorandum of Understanding concluded a few days ago between the delegation of the National Assembly and Armenian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum within the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly is an important event.

- help to improve the effectiveness of fight on restrictions of civil freedoms and rights in all areas and sectors of the RA public life;

- raise awareness of the RA commitments to the EU among people;

- promote understanding of the European values – Human Rights, the Rule of Law and Democracy – and shaping of a consciousness to help their adoption;

- develop and introduce legislation proceeding from the agreements signed or to be signed between the RA and the EU.

Dear Colleagues,

With all of this in view, we are aware that the implementation of the reforms is impossible if there is a lack of trust therein, belief and political will.

I would like to assure that the Armenian President, parliament and government are strong in their will to finalize the democratic reforms.

I believe interesting work is ahead for the Committee at this meeting, too and I hope it will be held in a constructive atmosphere of mutual understanding. I wish you success in all your endeavours."

Co-chairs Naira Zohrabyan and Milan Cabrnoch also welcomed the Committee members.

In his speech Mr. Cabrnoch showed appreciation for friendly reception and highlighted the dialogue in parliamentary format between the representatives of the EU big political groups and the Armenian MPs, expecting effective cooperation. The Co-Chair has mentioned that they observe Armenia as a part of Europe , and they consider important the development of relations in all spheres. Mr. Cabrnoch mentioned the main dimensions, which today the parliamentarians discussed and focused on the Association Agreement, the free comprehensive trade zone, visa and readmission facilitation, as well as the issue relating to the people’s move.

Moderating the Meeting Naira Zohrabyan proposed to approve the agenda of the Meeting and the protocol of the eleventh Meeting of the EU-Armenia PCC held in Brussels on December 1-2, 2010.

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, RA Deputy Foreign Minister, and Onno Simons, Head of the Political, Economic, Press and Information Section of the EU Delegation in Armenia , talked on the current situation between the EU and Armenia , particularly, on the procedure of the negotiations over the Association Agreement. They both expressed satisfaction over the ongoing active process of the dialogue between Armenia and the EU. Mr. Mnatsakanyan has stressed that the cooperation is a system of values, which promotes the efficiency of the started reforms. “As a result of negotiations over the Association Agreement 19 chapters and 17 supplements of the document have been succeeded to be complied completely,” the speakers have said, mentioning that the discussions over the remaining problems are still going on. It was, particularly, noted that the negotiations over the visa and readmission facilitation will be held simultaneously, and the investment of biometric passports would promote the acceleration of the process.

The parliamentarians also presented their assessments and notions about the steps taken and to be taken. Hermine Naghdalyan, member of the RPA faction, introduced the fields of social-economic reforms, as well as anti-corruption events. Hovhannes Margaryan, member of the Country of Law faction, also talked about the actions in reducing the corruption by the authorities and emphasized the transparency in that issue.Larisa Alaverdyan, Secretary of the Heritage faction, presented his concerns on some steps taken by the authorities.

The MPs discussed the Eastern Partnership Action Plan, the issues concerning the holding of fair elections and formation of trade zone. Within the framework of the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly the cooperation, especially at regional level, was emphasized. Naira Zohrabyan noticed that this format should become a platform of cooperation, rather than promote deepening of the dividing lines.

On November 3 the work of the Committee will continue in the parliament.