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On November 11 the RA NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan received Kristian Vigenin, MP of the European Parliament, Co-Chair of the EURONEST PA.

Welcoming the guest the NA Speaker has noted that Armenia-European Union cooperation is at very high level, the evidence of which is the recent high level mutual visits, which have become frequent in the recent period. And the development of the political and economic relations with the EU is one of the prior directions for Armenia.

Showing appreciation for the reception Kristian Vigenin has documented that new dynamics is noticed in the EU-Armenia relations. He has recorded that reforms are really being carried out in Armenia, which Armenia and the RA-EU relations will benefit from. The Co-Chair of the EURONEST PA highly appreciated the fact that Hovik Abrahamyan personally had taken part in the EURONEST PA founding sitting, as well as emphasized Armenia’s participation at the level of parliament, Government and experts, stressing the Armenian MPs’ active work.

The NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan has emphasized the works of the EURONEST, noting that Armenia has been among the first countries to greet its creation and actively take part in it. Hovik Abrahamyan underlined that the EURONEST should not be observed as a platform of discussion of conflicts, but should serve to the aim for which it has been created.

Kristian Vigenin has noted that in the EURONEST all of them are equal partners, they have equal responsibility for the works of the structure, and the attention should be concentrated on the issues, which unite the EURONEST participants. In his word, as Co-Chair of the EURONEST PA, he will do his best in order themes, which cannot be solved within the framework of the structure not to be discussed.

At the meeting the sides also touched upon the upcoming parliamentary elections. Welcoming the intention of the Armenian side to invite observers Mr. Vigenin proposed to invite observers also from the European Parliament. Hovik Abrahamyan considered important that elections be held in accordance with European standards, and also highlighted the observers’ presence. The NA Speaker has noted that this is the first time the Electoral Code has been adopted a year ago before the elections, on the initiative of the parliament, which has undergone international examination; this will promote the holding of free and fair elections. The NA Speaker has also informed the Co-Chair of the EURONEST PA that he will run the RPA pre-election campaign and in order to concentrate only on the election campaign and election processes on his own initiative he will submit his resignation from the position of the Parliament Speaker.

Kristian Vigenin highly appreciated the fact that Hovik Abrahamyan would run the pre-election campaign and connected with that he would resign from the position of the Speaker of the National Assembly.

Kristian Vigenin the interlocutors also touched upon the Eastern Partnership, the Association Agreement going on within that framework of it and a number of other issues.