Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has praised Armenia’s push for deeper EU relations and welcomed the new EU-Armenia partnership agenda and visa liberalization dialogue, highlighting ongoing cooperation and support.
What Did Roberta Metsola’s Letter to Armenia’s Speaker Say?
The president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, transmitted a letter to the speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, Alen Simonyan, and accommodated Armenia’s wish to develop relations with the European Union.
The European Parliament acknowledges and welcomes the fact that Armenia has resolutely emphasized its desire to expand relations with the European Union and prioritize them. The consented new EU-Armenia partnership agenda, as well as the start of the visa liberalization dialogue with Armenia, is clear proof of their expanded relations, Metsola mentioned in her letter.
She voiced a hope that the NA of Armenia will have the opportunity to resume collaboration with the delegation of the European Parliament on links with the countries of the South Caucasus, after its upcoming founding assembly, when the newly elected MPs will assume their office. This will provide a key platform for the further development of parliamentary collaboration, added the president of the European Parliament.
What Is the Role of the European Parliament in Armenia’s EU Integration?
The European Union and Armenia are dedicated to enhancing and deepening their cooperation in all possible areas. The comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was inscribed in November 2017 and substantial parts of it have been provisionally spread since 1 June 2018. Since then, the breadth and depth of bilateral collaboration between Armenia and the European Union have advanced steadily.
Armenia assumed a CEPA implementation roadmap on 1 June 2019, which was revised in 2021. On 1 March 2021, the CEPA entered fully into force, after it was approved by the Republic of Armenia, all EU member states and the European Parliament.
The EU has also been actively employed in support of peace through the direct involvement of the President of the European Council, the ongoing efforts of the High Representative, as well as through the attention and support provided by the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the situation in Georgia. On 17 October 2022, the EU Council chose to deploy up to 40 EU monitoring experts along the Armenian side of the international border with Azerbaijan with the purpose of monitoring, analysing and reporting on the condition in the region. It follows a discussion held between President Aliyev, Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Macron and President Michel on 6 October 2022.
