President received the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini

President Serzh Sargsyan received today the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini and her delegation.

At the meeting discussed were issues pertinent to the Armenia-EU bilateral agenda, including cooperation in different areas, as well as current international issues, regional developments, challenges and prospects.

The President stressed the importance of deepening relations with the EU and said that Armenia is very interested in the process. He noted that with this regard high-level reciprocal visits serve as a strong impetus and testify to the readiness of both sides to develop mutual cooperation.

The President of Armenia and High Representative of the European Union concurred, that the May 2015 Fourth Summit of Eastern Partnership in Riga became a significant milestone for the Armenia-EU relations, serving as a base for the parties’ continued cooperation. They highlighted the fact that in Riga was reiterated the common understanding between Armenia and EU regarding the framework of the future agreement which is aimed at the further development and strengthening of a comprehensive cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.

Serzh Sargsyan noted with satisfaction the fact that the negotiations on a new comprehensive legal document, which kicked off in the end of the last year in Brussels, were conducted with the participation of Mrs. Mogherini and expressed hope that they will follow a normal course and in the visible future the parties will successfully conclude that important process.

Serzh Sargsyan spoke about large-scale reforms introduced in Armenia, including the constitutional amendments carried out in December 2015. The President underscored that our country is determined to carry on with the reforms in different areas and praised the financial and technical assistance provided by the EU for their implementation.

At the meeting, the parties spoke also about the negotiations on the settlement of the NK issue which are being conducted in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. Serzh Sargsyan presented to Mrs. Maghirini the position of the Armenian side which has been published repeatedly on different occasions. Federica Mogherini reiterated the position of the European Union on this issue and underlined that the EU is supporting the Minsk Group in its mission and defends three principles – the right of people for self-determination, non-use of force or threat to use force, and territorial integrity.