Armenia is committed to coming closer to the European Union to the extent the EU will deem it possible, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said in his remarks at the Eastern Partnership Ministerial meeting in Brussels.
Minister Mirzoyan noted that Armenia is currently facing enormous challenges and expressed gratitude to the EU and its member States for humanitarian assistance in response to the mass influx of people of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Below are Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan’s remarks in full:
“Excellencies,
ladies and gentlemen,
dear colleagues,
I am very pleased for this opportunity to meet and openly discuss the recent developments in the EaP region and share our ideas on the future of this format. Given the diverse challenges the Eastern Partnership region has been facing for the last couple of years, including the shake of the security architecture and humanitarian issues, the consistency of the EaP Ministerial meetings is quite welcoming.
Since EaP was launched, it has aimed to strengthen the ties of the partners with the EU and EU Member states based on common values, deepening economic and political cooperation and support for the reform agenda.
The Eastern Partnership has contributed to the democratic transition of my country, which made a clear decision to take an irreversible path of democratization and reforms. Despite all the challenges we had during the recent couple of years the democratization process and implementation of the ambitious reform agenda did not stop in Armenia for a single moment. And Armenia is resolute in continuing this journey with the substantial support of the European Union. The most recent manifestation of our determination is the ratification of the Rome Statute by Armenia. By joining the ICC Armenia contributed to the strengthening of the international legal order while at the same time reclaiming its sovereign right of taking decisions based on its national interests.
My Government warmly welcomes the European Commission’s decision to recommend the European Council to open accession talks with Moldova and Ukraine and to grant candidate status to Georgia. This decision is welcomed not only by the Government of Armenia but also people of Armenia, who also have European aspirations.
We think that this new development should not be the cause for further weakening of their interest in EaP, but rather it should serve to transform the welcome progress of the trio into an additional bridge for those partners who have the firm intention and resolve to come closer to the European Union.
We are not only committed to continuing this path, but even coming closer to the European Union to the extent the EU will deem it possible.
Dear colleagues,
As you are well aware Armenia is currently facing enormous challenges. The efforts of my Government and all the competent authorities are focused on addressing the humanitarian situation of the forcibly displaced Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, who, within a week, had to abandon their houses and run as a result of use of force.
In this regard, we are grateful to the EU and its member States for humanitarian assistance to Armenia in response to the mass influx of people of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Distinguished colleagues,
ladies and gentlemen,
The Government of Armenia has political will for building sustainable and lasting peace in the region. We are ready to move forward to that end on the basis of the principles adopted in Granada by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia, President Michel of the European Council, President Macron of France and Chancellor Scholz of Germany. The same principles about mutual recognition of territorial integrity, mutual recognition of borders, opening of communications, transport infrastructures, that were previously acknowledged during the trilateral meetings of leaders in Brussels.
On numerous occasions, we have demonstrated our willingness and determination to establish long-lasting peace and stability in our region through the normalization of relations with our neighbors, where all countries will live with open borders and be connected by active economic, political and cultural ties. My Government has recently presented our vision for the future named “The Crossroads of Peace” as a part of the peace agenda. At the core of this project is the development of regional communications by means of renovating, building, and operating roads, railways, pipelines, cables, and electricity lines. Moreover, the joint statement recently adopted with Azerbaijan regarding the exchange of detainees and Armenia’s agreement on the COP29 is yet another demonstration of our determination to reach peace and stability in the South Caucasus. We do hope that after this positive impulse Azerbaijan will adhere to the peace process.
Dear colleagues,
We believe that this format and initiatives we are engaged in should serve the ultimate goal of bringing us closer to our partners and neighbors. We feel the need to reiterate that all of the EaP partner states should adhere to the same values and principles, as without respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, without a secure and peaceful environment any endeavor is doomed to failure.
