Brussels, 28/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 27 March, the European Commission stated in its progress report that the political dialogue with the Armenian government had been intensive in 2013. While the EU and Armenia completed their negotiations on an association agreement, the Armenian president decided in the end to join the customs union with Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. However, the EU and Armenia are committed to strengthening their cooperation, the Commission recalls. Ratified in 2013, the agreements on visas and readmission entered into force in January 2014.
Armenia made progress in its reforms but efforts are still needed. The presidential elections of February 2013 were generally well managed “notwithstanding concerns about the integrity of the electoral process”. The Commission calls on Erevan to avoid using administrative resources for election purposes and to guarantee media pluralism. Armenia should continue the reform of the public administration - particularly the fight against corruption. It should step up the reform of the judicial system - including the independence of the judges - and strengthen the implementation of reforms in governance. It is also important for Armenia to ensure the respect of the principle of non-discrimination, and to protect and cooperate with civil society, the Commission states.
Armenia should step up its efforts to reach an agreement with Azerbaijan concerning the situation in Ngorno-Karabakh, and ensure unhindered access for EU representatives, the Commission concludes. (CG)