YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–The second session of a joint committee of Armenia and the European Union was held in Yerevan Friday. The EU delegation was led by chief of the office for the NIS–Timo Suma. The delegation included EU officials and representatives from 15 countries.
The Armenian representatives were led by deputy Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian. The group included participants from various governmental and non-official entities.
Oskanian briefed the guests on Armenia’s domestic policies and situation–as well as Armenia’s stance on the Karabakh conflict. The official also briefed the visitors on economic and political reform as well as the process of Armenia’s integration in the European structures.
Suma said he was content with the reforms being implemented in Armenia and voiced hope that the introduction of the tripartite co-chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group would open new opportunities in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict.
He stressed that the establishment of stability would enable the countries of the region to focus on economic problems.
Suma also noted that 180 million ecu allocated to Armenia by EU in form of gran’s have undoubtedly contributed to Armenia’s economic stability.
Participants of the session addressed the latest economic developmen’s in Armenia–investment opportunities–problem of creation of legislation needed to implement political and economic reform as well as issues pertaining to taxation.
The sides stressed the importance of development of commercial and economic relations between Armenia and EU member-states.
Speaking of an agreement on cooperation and partnership signed between Armenia and the European Community–the sides voiced hope that the Armenian Parliament would ratify it in the near future.
The participants of the session also pointed out the importance of technical assistance rendered by EU to Armenia in fringes of TACIS Program.