President Serzh Sargsyan’s working visit to the Republic of Moldova

President Serzh Sargsyan arrived today on a working visit to the Republic of Moldova.

Before the commencement of the Summit of the European People’s Party Eastern Partnership Leaders in Chisinau, President Serzh Sargsyan met with the President of Moldova Nicolae Timofti. The Presidents of the two countries discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to the invigoration of the Armenian-Moldovan political dialogue and development of the cooperation in the trade and economic area. President Serzh Sargsyan noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the existing potential for the strengthening and development of bilateral ties has not been fully utilized. Now it is necessary to conduct active bilateral work and through frequent reciprocal visits and contacts on different levels to fill the gap because it emanates from the interests of two friendly peoples. Serzh Sargsyan stressed also the importance of cooperation in the framework of international organizations.

After the private and later extended negotiations of the Presidents of Armenia and Moldova, there took place the document signing ceremony. In particular, the parties signed the Agreement on Cooperation between the RA Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Culture of Moldova, Agreement between the RA Ministry of Agriculture and RM Ministry of Agriculture and Food Production on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation.

President Serzh Sargsyan met also with the Prime Minister of Moldova Iurie Leancă and discussed opportunities for developing mutually beneficial cooperation between Armenia and Moldova in different areas. With this regard, the parties stressed the important role of the Armenian-Moldovan Intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation.

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President Serzh Sargsyan today in Chisinau participated at the Third Summit of the European People’s Party (EPP) Eastern Partnership Leaders. At the Summit discussed were issues related to the agenda of the Eastern Partnership as well as the preparatory works for the summit in Vilnius.

At the Summit, President Serzh Sargsyan made a statement. He spoke about cooperation in the framework of Eastern Partnership, the process of fulfillment of the obligations which Armenia assumed by joining this partnership initiative, and reforms being implemented in our country. In the context of regional developments, President Sargsyan spoke about the unacceptability of the Azerbaijani policies of translating energy cooperation into energy dictate which silences even explicit cases of violation of human rights and democratic principles. Serzh Sargsyan referred also to the illegal blockade of Armenia and underscored that closed borders as a phenomenon counters the very essence of the European Union and its system of values.

In the framework of the Summit, President Sargsyan participated also at the joint press conference. He spoke about the results of discussions and presented Armenia’s position on a number of issues which are critical for Armenia. Serzh Sargsyan assessed discussions held at the Summit as effectual and constructive. He expressed confidence that the Summit has had its positive contribution toward the achievement of the EPP’s as well as Eastern Partnership objectives. “First of all, I would like to thank the Moldovan side for hosting this Summit. Only months ago, in Yerevan we hosted a similar event and we are grateful to Mr. Martens for establishing this tradition and format of Eastern Partnership Summits.

An important element of Eurointegration processes for the partner states is the interaction with the European political parties, political culture and finally, rapprochement of the systems of values. The European People’s Party plays an important role in the dissemination of the European identity and in deepening cooperation with the partner states.

Today, we have discussed agenda issues of Eastern Partnership as well as issues related to the preparatory works for Vilnius Summit. For us, these are very tangible, concrete issues. To be efficient, Eastern Partnership should be comprehensible and lucid for each citizen of a participating state. We also should asked ourselves how this or that agreement makes the life for citizens easier, how it changes the life quality for the citizens of Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia. Regardless of whether it comes as economic advancement, political stability, or stronger democracy, our citizens should see clearly what they get from this process.

Cooperation formed during Eastern Partnership’s four-year existence demonstrates that it holds great potential for deepening regional cooperation and partnership. In our understanding, Eastern Partnership in its essence is an initiative aimed at creating cooperation and not contradictions; it is not directed against any state or a group of states. This Partnership is aimed at the final elimination of dividing lines.

In the framework of the Partnership, Armenia attaches the utmost importance to ending the practice of keeping borders closed. The Agreement on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade, which is currently being negotiated with the European Union, will not be functioning properly after entering into force, if the Armenian-Turkish border remains closed as it is today. We believe that the European Union should take the issue of closed borders very seriously since as long as there are closed borders, trade with the EU Customs Union cannot be efficient,” President Serzh Sargsyan said at the joint press conference.