On April 18, the EU –ArmeniaParliamentary Cooperation Committee Eighth Meeting has begun its work in the National Assembly. Ambassadors, representatives of international organizations also participated in the meeting.

Opening the meeting and welcoming those present, Armen Roustamyan, Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, co chair of the EU –Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, noted that there have been serious events within a year in our country in the sense of more deepening the Euro Integration activity. Our country is interested in the development of relations with Europe, feeling as a part of a whole European family and also is interested with the activities expanded in Europe.

In her welcoming speech, committee co-chair, Marie Anne Isler Beguin, noted that European parliament is interested in deepening relations with Armenia “We entered a new stage of relations, we are already new neighbors within the framework of  “New Neighborhood” programme. We, the whole delegation, once will become members of a European family, even if it isn’t fully accepted by the public opinion of Europe yet. We are well aware of your problems and are ready to help you. ”

Highlighting the settlement of NK problem, Mrs. Beguin noted that the European Parliament follows the condition reigning in Southern Caucasus. She assured that the peace settlement of the NK conflict is the only way and Europe promotes everything which is in favor of peace regulation. Mrs. Beguin doesn’t consider the Rambouillet meeting a failed one and finds that it wasn’t a final meeting. She addressed to EU representatives, particularly the Ambassadors, who participated in the meeting especially the Ambassador of Germany, who is the representative of presiding country in the council, for to do the utmost for the settlement initiative of the conflict before the next meeting and be approved by the chairmen. Mrs. Beguin highlighted the preparation of public opinion for the peoples to be ready to accept the mutual concessions.

The NA President Artur Baghdasaryan noted that the European Integration is a political priority for Armenia, one of the major supremacy of  foreign policy. Our country makes certain steps in that direction. “The Democracy is not our heritage and with our relatives we should fight for those values for promoting more fully and consistent deepening of those values in Armenia. I think the parliamentshave a lot to do and say in this way. Our consistent cooperation can greatly support the further developments and consistent integration activities in Armenia. This year is also very important in the sense of  NK settlement. I think Armenia makes constructive efforts in this direction. We have announced the problem to be settled through mutual concessions’ policy. The 2006 may be a year of key settlement of the NK conflict, because there are elections neither in Armenia nor in Azerbaijan this year. The parliamentary and presidential elections of 2007-2008 are very important for us, the free, comply with international criteria processing of which can be a serious step on Euro Integration way. We should go through this way.”

Vardan Oskanian, Minister of Foreign Affairs, noted that activation is recorded in deepening in Armenia- EU relations since the previous meeting of the committee: “Recently the base of our cooperation was the“Partnership in the name of Cooperation agreement.” It’s the time for our relations to be brought to a new level. That opportunity is now given to us. We have completed “Partnership in the name of Cooperation Stage,” the policy of the “European Neighbourhood” programme is the next stage, which will create new relations in the sense of EU-Armenia cooperation.” According to him the action plan will be completed within the forthcoming several months. Talking on recently recorded progress and forthcoming deeds in Armenia, Mr. Oskanian noted that Armenia should be better prepared for the forthcoming parliamentary and presidential elections, for the elections to be conducted in accordance with the activities expanded with EU. The minister thanked for the organized assembly in the theme of Caucasus at the beginning of the year, during which the EU responded to the destruction of Armenian Monuments in Nakhijevan, the problem of the Turkey-Armenia border to be closed, and the genocide recognition issue.

Mr. Oskanian touched upon the tempt of Turkey and Azerbaijan Armenia to be isolated in the region. Welcoming the distinct position of EU towards this issue i.e. the EU won’t promote any tempt of Armenia to be isolated, he considered one of those tempts the construction of new railroad to Azerbaijan through Georgia from Turkey, which will avoid the current railroad. The EU promotes the “TRASECA” programme, which is a program of transport corridor and the important component of transport programmes is the railroad. No productive cooperation and communication is possible without it. He called on the parliament to raise this issue. Turkey should be told that the current railroad should be opened for “TRASECA” programme to be full and comprehensive. Touching upon the NK key problem, Vardan Oskanian noted that the chairmen’ expectations from the Rambouillet meeting were very great, but the chairmen couldn’t come to an agreement. “Some commented the meeting as a failure. We do not agree to that. Rambouillet meeting wasn’t a successful one as the agenda problem wasn’t solved, but the failure shouldn’t be considered as a failure of the whole activity.”

Presenting the position of Armenia, the minister noted, that if Azerbaijan side accepts the fact that the NK people has the right of self- determination, Armenian side is ready today to start the issue debate of conflict consequences elimination i.e. territories, refugees, security and other problems.According to him the European parliament also should be involved in this activity, because the Azerbaijani people should understand that there isn’t alternative, peace is the only way, they should try to sit at a negotiation table with us, to develop the activity through concession.

After the adoption of the agenda and the record of the April 13-14 EU –Armenia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee seventh Meeting of 2005, the committee turned to the debate of the agenda issues. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Armen Baiburdyan, welcoming the guests, has noted that the previous year was specified with affirmation of bilateral relations and development of joint programme activities within the framework of European Neighbourhood Policy. According to him the ENP has territorial concept, but the principle of differentiated approach is desired to be maintained. He assured that the programme of activities in Armenia is comprehended as a comprehensive programme of amendments, which will lead to affirmation of close ties with EU. Mr. Baiburdyan touched upon the problem involvement of civil society in ENP activity, reasoning that the RA government has decided to provide transparency in that issue. He informed that the bilateral political dialogue with the European side is activated, during which there was a reflect to strengthening the democracy activities in Armenia, the peace settlement of regional conflicts, the RA legislation to comply with the EU criteria and  the issues related to energy key problems. Talking on NK key problem, he noted that Armenia is ready to pursue the negotiation activity. Mr. Baiburdyan touched upon the transport and energy field cooperation, noting that the presented proposals aimto restart the functioning transport roads i.e. Kars- Gyumri railroad, which doesn’t function. By his assurance the government developed PCA implementation National programme will enable the RA economic legislation structures to comply with EU criteria. He highlighted the committee’s activity in strengthening the Armenian – European cooperation. According to him, the constitutional amendments create opportunities for further progress.

German Ambassador Heike Renate Peitsch, greeting the meeting activities noted that the representative delegation’s visit of EU witnesses on great concern to Yerevan. The visit of delegation of EU triple is also expected on Thursday, which also witnesses the necessity of EU cooperation deepening with Armenia. Those priority directions are involved in the actions’ plan, which are to be of great concern for strengthening those values. She noted that the EU expects the 2007 parliamentary and 2008 presidential elections should have a fair and transparent conduction, which are specific test for Armenia. Talking on settlement of NK conflict, she said that the two countries should have to overcome the hostile relations and leave as peaceful neighbours.

Head of the Delegation of the European Commission, Ambassador Torben Holtze noted that the cooperation circle which already exists through partnership and cooperation agreement will pursue its role as a contractor agreement between Armenia and EU. A number of actions are presented in the actions’ plan, which refer to social, political issue, which  trend to deepen the development of Armeniaand more close cooperation with the EU. The EU is impressed with the recorded economic growth of Armenia, the macroeconomic indicators. The amounts of Armenia’s commodity circulation are increasing and the EU is the most important partnership of Armenia in export and import. EU-Armenian trade is 40% of 750m Euro. He noted that the EU is concerned with that unproductive work that reigns in customs bodies, though Armenia tries to develop in its structural reforms, but the red tape and corruption don’t promote the development of productive surroundings yet.

Armen Roustamyan, co-chair of the committee, in his report with the theme of democracy activity, noted that Armenia is on the way of deepening democracy development and in this sense there is a problem of expanding the development rates and involvement, which does not comply with the European fundamental three values i.e. the democracy activity, supremacy of law and the defence of human rights. Mr. Roustamyan noted that  the defence of human rights needs to be warranted in the country and the people to be involved in this activity.

Touching upon the social field amendments he highlighted the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. The fact of having Electoral Code through consensus in the National Assembly was highlighted, it was noted that the Electoral Code should have such amendments for conditions to be createdfor in 2007 and 2008 can be passed parliamentary and presidential elections in accordance with the international criteria. Touching upon the Constitutional amendments, Mr. Roustamyan noted that voluminous work should be done within two years in the direction of bringing the RA legislation in comply with the Constitution, more than 100 laws should be amended. The MP Hranush Hakobyan touching upon civil society development and its role in democracy activities, noted that 4000 NGOs are registered in Armenia. Recently efforts are made in the direction of strengthening the community NGOs. Mrs. Hakobyan informed that it is the first time that 100m AMD is allocated to the NGOs from the state budget, reminding that the NGOs were developed only on the account of foreign funds within 15 years. Mrs. Hakobyan also highlighted the participationof Mass Media in realization of civil society noting that the state also supports them. According to her the Mass Media and NGOs should be able to control the state power, solving the problems of giving information, active participation in the development of consultation, retroaction and legislation. Through deepening the civil society influence Hranush Hakobyan highlighted the improvement of the judicial system, combating corruption and poverty reduction. Touching upon the social safety problems, Mrs. Hakobyan noted that amendments are being carried out in protection of pension field, transfer is implemented to accumulated principle. There are 500000 pensioners, the 7,9% of the population is unemployed also shady unemployment is present, especially in marzes. Nearly 140000 families get poverty benefits, which is 50 m USD. There are 120000 disabled in Armenia, and no project, except state projects is carried out related to them. In her speech Mrs. Hakobyan touched upon the gender political issues, noted that adjunct to the Prime Minister, a council on gender issues is processing, which actively deals with this issue. Mrs. Hakobyan also highlighted the engagement of the youth and the problem of provision with jobs. It was noted that educational amendments are being implemented in the republic, the development of the relations with EU in educational and scientific spheres considered necessary.

Heghine Bisharyan, member of the committee, in her speech touched upon the educational system amendments, noted that students having high progress enjoy free education. Mrs. Bisharyan highlighted the issues of providing the youth with jobs and young families to enjoy state support. Talking on anticorruption fight, the MP noted that nearly 300000 USD is returned to the state budget in the result of the NA CC examinations and the NA President’s consistency.

Gagik Melikyan and Khachatur Soukiasyan, members of the committee talked on the economic situation of Armenia, touched upon the energy security and environmental problems. Mr. Soukiasyan highlighted the role of the international organizations, especially the role of the WB, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Bank and so forth. For the economic development Mr. Soukiasyan also considered necessary the fully functioning of the law and anticorruption fight.

Mr. Melikyan, answering Mrs. Beguin’s question related to Metsamor nuclear power plant to be closed in 2006 and the proposal of seeking alternative energy resources, noted that for the Armenia’s power security and the necessity of independence the nuclear plant will be closed in 2016, as the 40 % of the produced power is provided by thenuclear plant, 30% by the hydroelectric power stations and 30% by thermal power plant. It is necessary to invest two bn USD for alternative resources to be founded and 1,5 bn for constructing a new nuclear plant. Answering the question related to the level of Lake Sevan, it was noted that it has been risen in1,15 cm and increased in 45 cm within last year.

On April 19 the committee will pursue its works.