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07
05, 2009
President Serzh Sargsyan participated at the EU Eastern Partnership Summit
On May 7, the first EU Eastern Partnership Summit took place in the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague. This EU initiative involves six former Soviet Republics – Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine. The initiative is aimed at the strengthening of their relations with the European Union, enhancement of trade and economic relations, and facilitation of visa regime, as well as encouragement of regional cooperation among the partner countries. At the Summit the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan made a statement.
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Statement by President Serzh Sargsyan at the EU Eastern Partnership Summit
“Mr. President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
First, I would like to express my gratitude to the EU Czech presidency and personally to President Klaus, for hosting this Summit.
Dear Colleagues,
This is a significant day for the people of the Republic of Armenia, and I believe for all other countries included in the Eastern Partnership initiative. Irrespective of what kind of future each of us sees in our relations with the European Union, one thing is clear – we have a long road ahead of us. On behalf of the people of Armenia, I would like to thank the European Commission, EU member-states for their invitation to take that road together. This was a step inspired by vision, step reaching out for future. We realize that it was not an easy decision for the European Union, particularly under the conditions of the current global economic and financial crisis. The Eastern Partnership is a bold initiative. It is mutually obligating but also mutually beneficial. We enter this process with the aspiration to make our markets more accessible for each other, to foster dialogue between our peoples and our societies, to jointly shape our future, and to mutually enrich our cultures. I am confident, we will succeed.
Armenia is determined to continue the implementation of the obligations assumed in the framework of the Partnership policy. Earlier this week, I signed a decree to approve the coordinated action plan on the Armenia-EU cooperation for the next three years, which includes almost 200 events.
Armenia invited and received with gratitude a group of EU experts, who are helping today our state administration structures to implement reforms in a number of areas.
Since the initiation of the European Neighborhood policy initiative, when Armenia received an opportunity to join the EU statements on foreign policy, we joined almost 80 percent of these statements, which testifies to the closeness of our approaches, viewpoints, and positions.
At the same time, the possibilities to sign an agreement on Association in the framework of the Eastern Partnership, to engage, if necessary, third countries, as well as the current flexibility regarding the degree of involvement, make the program attractive to everyone. To achieve success, on the stage of implementation the Eastern Partnership should also be guided by inclusive, “for” something rather that “against” something principle.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Nowadays, Europe has become a synonym of tolerance, constructive approaches, and peaceful resolutions. We aspire for the Eastern Partnership to enforce that perception of Europe. We want the initiative to be successful and to prove that policies based on the system of values are able to bring exceptional and unexpected results. To achieve it, we all have to work devotedly and consistently.
In conclusion, I once again salute the inauguration of the Eastern Partnership and wish us all great success in the important mission of its full implementation, which will require joint and coordinated efforts.
Thank you".
***
Statement by President Serzh Sargsyan at the EU Eastern Partnership Summit
“Mr. President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
First, I would like to express my gratitude to the EU Czech presidency and personally to President Klaus, for hosting this Summit.
Dear Colleagues,
This is a significant day for the people of the Republic of Armenia, and I believe for all other countries included in the Eastern Partnership initiative. Irrespective of what kind of future each of us sees in our relations with the European Union, one thing is clear – we have a long road ahead of us. On behalf of the people of Armenia, I would like to thank the European Commission, EU member-states for their invitation to take that road together. This was a step inspired by vision, step reaching out for future. We realize that it was not an easy decision for the European Union, particularly under the conditions of the current global economic and financial crisis. The Eastern Partnership is a bold initiative. It is mutually obligating but also mutually beneficial. We enter this process with the aspiration to make our markets more accessible for each other, to foster dialogue between our peoples and our societies, to jointly shape our future, and to mutually enrich our cultures. I am confident, we will succeed.
Armenia is determined to continue the implementation of the obligations assumed in the framework of the Partnership policy. Earlier this week, I signed a decree to approve the coordinated action plan on the Armenia-EU cooperation for the next three years, which includes almost 200 events.
Armenia invited and received with gratitude a group of EU experts, who are helping today our state administration structures to implement reforms in a number of areas.
Since the initiation of the European Neighborhood policy initiative, when Armenia received an opportunity to join the EU statements on foreign policy, we joined almost 80 percent of these statements, which testifies to the closeness of our approaches, viewpoints, and positions.
At the same time, the possibilities to sign an agreement on Association in the framework of the Eastern Partnership, to engage, if necessary, third countries, as well as the current flexibility regarding the degree of involvement, make the program attractive to everyone. To achieve success, on the stage of implementation the Eastern Partnership should also be guided by inclusive, “for” something rather that “against” something principle.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Nowadays, Europe has become a synonym of tolerance, constructive approaches, and peaceful resolutions. We aspire for the Eastern Partnership to enforce that perception of Europe. We want the initiative to be successful and to prove that policies based on the system of values are able to bring exceptional and unexpected results. To achieve it, we all have to work devotedly and consistently.
In conclusion, I once again salute the inauguration of the Eastern Partnership and wish us all great success in the important mission of its full implementation, which will require joint and coordinated efforts.
Thank you".