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On March 18 in the RA National Assembly the fourth Ordinary Session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly continued its work, which conducted the Euronest PA Co-Presidents Heidi Hautala and Borys Tarasyuk.

The participants discussed issues on the revision of the European Neighbourhood Policy and the upcoming Summit in Riga of the Eastern Partnership.

Johannes Hahn, Commissioner on EU Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations made a report. Touching upon the Neighbourhood Policy the EU Commissioner has noted that the EU wishes to be a partner with all the countries of the Eastern Partnership, recognizing and defending the unique policy of every country. In Johannes Hahn’s word, their only goal is the building of welfare future.

By Mr Hahn’s characterization, at present the neighbourhood policy has been changed, a number of challenges have been brought forth in the neighbouring countries. Thus, in the Commissioner’s word, we should show a differentiated approach and realize that every country is different not only with its culture, but also with its political approaches and interests.

Touching upon the foreign policy adopted by Armenia Johannes Hahn has noted that the EU is ready in future to cooperate with Armenia, continue the support in the direction of protection of human rights, struggle against corruption, democracy, and electoral reforms. According to Johannes Hahn, they have discussed the perspectives of further cooperation and they are ready to resume it. The EU Commissioner has informed that they will also support the civil society of Armenia.

Artak Zakaryan, Head of the Delegation of the RA NA Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Relations welcomed the EU Commissioner’s participation in the works of the Ordinary Session.

In his word, all the observations which have been voiced, in the future will be taken into consideration, and will continue the elaboration of the policy aimed at the integration of the Eastern Partnership.

By Artak Zakaryan’s characterization, the cooperation and the political dialogue with the EU has always been important for Armenia. In the MP’s word the balanced and multi-vector policy for the RA continues remaining the important key of the policy of our country.

Then the issue of the EU financial support to the justice sphere has been discussed. The key rapporteur was Andrea Matteo Fontana, Head of Unit of Geographical Coordination Neighbourhood East at the European Commission. He has, particularly, touched upon the sphere of justice, the progress of reforms within the framework of the programmes.

Mr Fontana has noted that they cooperate with all the countries of the Eastern Partnership in the sphere of justice. According to him, the justice is a political value, which is also of social and economic importance. The EU has programmes of current judicial reforms, which it implements in all Euronest member countries. According to Fontana, the main problems are the struggle against corruption, the provision of the judicial power and transparency of the justice system.

Then the deputies debated the amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Euronest PA and the Committees and accepted recommendations.

Borys Tarasyuk, Co-President of the Euronest PA, has informed that as the Co-Presidency of the Ukrainian Delegation ends, the participants have unanimously made a decision that Co-Presidency will be transferred to Victor Dolidze representing Georgia.

Heidi Hautala, Co-President of the Euronest PA, as well as the MPs thanked Borys Tarasyuk for the effective work within the Co-Presidency.

The Euronest PA ended the works of the Fourth Ordinary Session.