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On February 22 the meeting of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Education, Culture, and Civil Society of the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly of the Eastern Partnership began for the first time outside the EURONEST Parliament territory, in the Session Hall of the National Assembly Artak Zakaryan, the Co-Chair of the Committee, presiding over the meeting welcomed those present and thanked the NA President Samvel Nikoyan, the EU Advisory Group in Armenia, the EURONEST Secretariat and the Staff of the Parliament for organizing the visiting meeting. The representatives of the Armenian Platform of the Civil Society Forum were also invited to the Meeting. The speaker underlined the important role of the EURONEST both in the integration into the European Union, and in having dialogue with each other mentioning that the interest in the Eastern Partnership and particularly in its parliamentary format increases in the society. During short period Armenia has successfully integrated into all four committees of the Assembly and also actively works within the framework of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Education, Culture, and Civil Society, in the sphere of the activity of which are important directions. To Artak Zakaryan’s conviction, the involvement and cooperation should be the spirit of the EURONEST, giving no space to the contradictions. He called on the Eastern Partner countries to work together within the framework of the EURONEST in mutual understanding and mutually beneficial conditions.

The NA President Samvel Nikoyan welcomed the participants of the meeting.

“Dear parliamentarians, ministers,

Dear guests,

First of all, I would like to thank you all for being present at the visiting meeting of the EURONEST, which since its establishment in May 2011 for the first time is held outside the EU structures, in the Republic of Armenia. I am gratified that the Azerbaijani delegation also takes part in the meeting.

More than five years ago the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament proposed the idea of the EURONEST in Prague three years before the proclamation of the Eastern Partnership, and I would like to congratulate you all for the work you have done and for being consistent, due to which it became possible to make this unique initiative come true. I am aware of the difficulties due to which this project was established, and I am proud of the real support provided by the Armenian delegation still in June 2010, when the first preparatory meeting was held. I am glad to mention that the difficulties are behind, and guided by the ideas of unity, solidarity, justice, and freedom we have gathered together around a common goal aimed at strengthening of the unity to face the present challenges and the temptation of creating new dividing lines. I am sure that the EURONEST Parliamentary Assembly is the best platform for the parliamentary assessment of the Eastern Partnership, as well as for the fundamental values based on the principles of international law and the Prague Declaration, and for democracy, rule of law, and commitment to human rights.

It is common knowledge that it is impossible to make reforms without conviction, trust, and political will. This Parliamentary Assembly is a parliamentary structure of the realization of the Eastern Partnership policy which promotes the intensification of political association process as well as the establishment of the necessary conditions for the further economic integration of the EU and other Eastern partners. I am sure that the Assembly as an institution responsible for parliamentary consultancy, oversight, and partnership monitoring will greatly promote the enhancement, development and transparency of the partnership. The EURONEST gives essential weight to our international ties and parliamentary diplomacy becoming an additional stimulus for the activation of contacts between parliamentarians and our societies. At the same time I see our involvement in the EURONEST based on mutually complementing principles: on the one hand, it is the principle of spiritual unity which includes the multilateral approach and the perception of the common interest, on the other hand it is the principle of differentiation. The deepening of cooperation with the EU and the process of integration should be conditioned by the progress recorded by each individual partner.

Whether the EURONEST becomes a framework for the cooperation or not will depend on the circumstance how we use these monopolies. I would suggest maintaining this spirit and focusing on the issues of common interest for the EU and for us in such problems as providing entry visa facilitation, the establishment of deep and comprehensive free trade with the EU and the Association Agreement. I think that they must be on our common political agenda rather than issues aimed at creating new dividing lines.

Special structures deal with problematic issues with mutual agreement and international meditation. Any meditation dictated even with good will may cause additional tension to such sensitive issues and bring to unpredictable and tough consequences in the region. Hence, let’s demonstrate responsibility and benefit maximum from the format of the EURONEST PA. In the case of the Republic of Armenia, as a result of the negotiations around the Association Agreement 22 chapters have already been summed up. Perhaps, the other member countries have recorded more. So, let us use this unique opportunity to forward the process and stay away from the temptation of turning the EURONEST into a tribune of senseless dispute.

The RA National Assembly have recently made reforms adopting new Electoral Code corresponding to the European standards, which has enjoyed the endorsement of the Council of the Europe Venice Committee and the OSCE/ ODIHR. I sincerely believe that we shall use this important tool to hold free, fair and transparent elections.

Today Europe is the best model for the protection of the fundamental human rights and freedom, for shaping a tolerant society and harmonious coexistence. With this motive the interest of the EU to cooperate with the three South Caucasian countries within the framework of the EURONEST is explained.

Concluding my speech let me say that for Armenia the EURONEST is not an end in itself but a necessary step on the way to the further integration into the EU.

Let us not miss this opportunity.

Once again I welcome you in Armenia and wish success for the works of the Committee. I am sure that it has its important role in the realization of the Eastern Partnership goals and in the implementation the idea of the EURONEST.

Thank you for your attention.”

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, the Deputy Foreign Minister, who is in the role of the negotiator over the RA-EU Association Agreement from Armenia, also welcomed this parliamentary initiative and characterized it as a good platform for spreading European values. He considered the Eastern Partnership a comprehensive initiative, which includes cooperation at three main levels: governments, parliaments, and civil societies. Our country is actively involved in all three planes, the Deputy Foreign Minister has said, adding that Armenia is resolute in the issue of integrating into the European family, and it is consonant with the reforms made by us. The Deputy Foreign Minister gave information about the ongoing negotiations on establishing deep and comprehensive free trade zone and visa facilitation and readmission agreements and their results.

Laima Liucija Andrikiene, the Co-Chair of the Committee has also made opening remarks. To her conviction, the successful idea of holding a meeting outside the EU territory will pave the way for the EURONEST. Speaking about the Eastern Partnership Programme Mrs Andrikiene has noticed that the EU considers the Eastern countries important partners and has a vital interest in the development of politics and economy, in ensuring security and stability for its neighbors according to the Enlargement and European Neighbourhood policy. The Co-Chair has considered the cooperation of civil society with the government the cornerstone of a state viewing the Parliamentary Assembly as a bridge in that process. The problems of the civil society are in the sphere of their committee and they should be given proper support as it is impossible to establish neither democracy nor a stable state without the latter. Mrs Andrikiene has mentioned that a serious progress is seen in the Eastern countries but deeds and reforms are still needed in the judicial system, diminishing corruption, ensuring freedom of speech and thought, protecting the right of information and in other issues.

After the adoption of the Committee Meeting Agenda and of the statement of the meeting which took place last September, in Strasbourg, the EURONEST deputies started discussing over the agenda report. The draft report by Artak Zakaryan and Iliana Malinova Iotova entitled ''The Strengthening of Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership countries including the cooperation between the government and the civil society and the reforms aimed at widening the possibilities of the civil society'' suggests adopting the resolution. Representing the report Artak Zakaryan and Christian Silviou Boushoy have mentioned that historical, political and social-economic status is different in each of the six countries of the Eastern Partnership but civil societies have a lot in common. They also have underlined the important role of the civil societies in ensuring security and stability, in cooperating in the spheres of ecology and energy security and in other spheres as well as in the issue of engaging dialogue between the national platforms and powers.

Azay Gouliev, the member of the Azerbaijani delegation has touched upon the issue of regional security and peace in his questions and suggestions on the draft report. Particularly, he has suggested thinking over the regional obstacles saying that they contradict the principle of the regional cooperation. By his words, the EURONEST can become a good platform for the solution of the problems; the civil societies in their turn can promote the approach of the orientations.

Milan Tsabrnokh, from the European Parliament Conservatives and Reformists Group, has suggested amending on the 9th paragraph of the report changing the expression ''European Social Model'' into more perceptible and simple formulation clarifying the formulation of the trade-union and employer rights.

Tatjana Zdanoka, from the European Parliament Greens Group suggested demarcating the civil society unions particularly specifying the activities of the NGOs, religion unions and national minorities.

The NA deputy, the EURONEST PA Vice President Vahan Hovhannisyan's first suggestion was of technological nature which referred to the inappropriate translation of a term in the 16th paragraph, while the second suggestion referred to the issue of cooperation. Welcoming the Azerbaijani deputy's recommendation on the realization of separate sector programmes, he highlighted the problem of maintaining the spirit of mutual understanding presented by the co-reporters.

Naira Zohrabyan, the member of the PAP has considered admissible that the Azerbaijani deputy highlights mutual trust and regional cooperation which missed in the meetings of any format before that.

In response to the Armenian partners, Mr Gouliev has said that they are for the regional cooperation but as to the bilateral cooperation there are a lot of difficulties related to the NK conflict, hence a step must be taken to resolve that conflict. Naira Zohrabyan and Artak Zakaryan have explained to the Azerbaijani partner that that problem is not in the EURONEST jurisdictional boundaries; the Minsk Group deals with it. They have expressed hope that with that format, due to peaceful negotiations the NK conflict will be regulated.

Hovhannes Sahakyan, the RPA member has urged the Azerbaijani partners to refrain from promulgating such problems that are not to be solved with this format.

Larisa Alaverdyan, the PAP member has enlisted that from 1992 to 2002 active cooperation of civil society has been in three South Caucasian states. She has assured that the Armenian representatives of the civil society are always ready to take part in the realization of such programs.

To Azerbaijani Rovshan Rzayev’s assessment, it is important to have sound civil society for the development of two countries; hence we must find a common ground of mutual understanding for starting two-sided cooperation in all the spheres.

Boris Vieru, the representative of the Moldova Parliament has welcomed the constructive dialogue and suggested clarifying what civil society we want to have.

The Committee Meeting has discussed and decided to accept the 9^th of March as a deadline for presenting a new report taking into account the recommendations. Artak Zakaryan, presiding over the Meeting, asked the participants to present their recommendations till that deadline.

The 4^th paragraph of the Meeting Agenda refers to the discussions on the RA civil society status with the representatives of the Armenian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum.

Karen Andreasyan, the defender of the RA Human Rights has made a report. He has presented the RA Human Rights Defender’s activities and problems, the cooperation with the NGOs, the joint debates, actions, and events organized by them.

Mr Andreasyan presented the cases of human rights violations in the RA and the events aimed at excluding them.

The Defender of Human Rights has also answered the deputies’ questions.

Representatives of different social organizations have spoken about the cases of violating human rights in the spheres of the judicial system, television, police, road traffic, ecology and in a number of other spheres and the ways of excluding them.

The Meeting of the Standing Committee on the EURONEST PA Social Affairs, Education, Culture, and Civil Society will continue on February 23.