On October 26, the 10th annual session of Armenia-European Union Cooperation Council took place in Luxemburg. The delegation headed by Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian arrived in Luxemburg to attend the session. The delegation also included Ambassador Avet Adonts, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia in the EU, Nikolay Arustamyan, Deputy Minister of Justice, Mushegh Tumasyan, Deputy Minister of Economy and other high ranking officials.

The delegation of the European Union was headed by Carl Bildt, Foreign Minister for the Swedish Presidency. It also included Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Diego López Garrido, Spanish State Secretary for the European Affairs, high ranking officials from the different European structures.

At the session of the Cooperation Council chaired by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian discussed Armenia-European Union cooperation, the perspectives of its deepening, as well as regional issues were dicussed.

Presenting the steps undertaken by Armenia in the direction of implementation of European Neighbourhood Policy Action plan, Minister Nalbandian mentioned that the effective implementation of the program is the priority of Armenia-European Union cooperation and the official Yerevan will continue to undertake efficient steps for the further enhancement of relations.

Armenian Foreign Minister attached importance to the activity of the EU Advisory Group s, which assists the process of reforms. By Ministers definition it as a successful example of effective cooperation.

Deputy Ministers of Justice and Economy of Armenia informed on the steps being undertaken in the areas of their responsibility, the economic policy of the Government, reforms being implemented in the judicial sphere.

At the session of the Council, a detailed discussion on the process of implementation of European Neighbourhood Policy Armenia-European Union Action plan. The sides expressed satisfaction with successful realization of the program, at the same time mentioning that there are considerable perspectives for the enlargement of the possibilities of the program.

The sides also exchanged views on the Eastern Partnership program attaching importance to the full use of the potential of the program – the drafting of association agreement, the signing of deep and comprehensive Free Trade agreement and visa facilitation.

The European side welcomed the courageous steps aimed at the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations attaching importance to the rapid ratification of the protocols signed on October 10, and their implementation without preconditions.

The European high ranking officials highly appreciated the cooperation with Armenia, democratic and economic reforms implemented by the authorities of the country and expressed their support for the steps undertaken in that direction.

On the request of the European side Minister Nalbandian presented the recent developments in the negotiation process for the settlement of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) issue.

After the session the meeting between Edward Nalbandian and Javier Solana, Secretary General of the Council of the European Union took place. Minister Nalbandian and Secretary General Solana discussed issues concerning Armenia-European Union cooperation and exchanged views on the regional developments.
Afterwards the joint press conference of Foreign Ministers of Armenia, Sweden, Georgia and Azerbaijan, as well as the European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy took place.

Carl Bildt, the president of the Council of EU Foreign Ministers and Foreign Minister of Sweden highly appreciated the progress registered in EU-Armenia relations and mentioned that EU welcomes the signing of Armenian-Turkish protocols and expressed hope that the sides would rapidly ratify and rapidly implement them by respecting reached agreements.

In her turn Benita Ferrero-Waldner attached importance to the initiative of providing macroeconomic support of 100 million euros by EU to Armenia as a step aimed at the promotion of the economic development of the Republic of Armenia. She also defined the activity of the EU Advisory Group in Armenia as a full success.

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On the same day Edward Nalbandian had a meeting with Foreign Minister of Georgia Grigol Vashadze. At the meeting the two touched upon the issues of Armenian-Georgian bilateral agenda.

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On the second part of the day in Luxemburg Edward Nalbandian had a meeting with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernard Fassier (France), Robert Bradtke (USA) as well as Andrzej Kasprzyk, the personal representative to the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.

In the course of the meeting, they discussed the recent developments in the negotiation process for the settlement of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) issue, the possibility of Co-Chairs visit to the region.
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Edward Nalbandian gave interview to the Wort newspaper of Luxemburg.