On December 9, annual session of Armenia-European Union Cooperation Council took place. The delegation of high-ranking representatives of different Ministries of Armenia headed by Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian was Brussels to attend the session.
The European delegation was headed by Jean-Pierre Jouyet, Secretary of State for European Affairs for the French Presidency.
At the session Edward Nalbandian presented the steps undertaken by Armenia in the direction of implementation of European Neighbourhood Policy Action plan. Armenian Foreign Minister mentioned that the implementation of the plan is the priority of Armenia-European Union Cooperation and the establishment by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan of inter-departmental commission that coordinates cooperation with the European structures is the evidence of that. Minister Nalbandian also attached importance to the signing of the agreement on assignment of the group of EU advisers to Armenia for effective implementation of reforms in different areas within cooperation with the EU.
Deputy Ministers of Finance, Economy, Energy and Justice presented reforms realized in the areas of their responsibilities: economic policy of the government, reforms being implemented in judicial sphere, steps being undertaken for maintenance of security of Metsamor Nuclear station, the program of construction of a new nuclear station.
In the course of the session of the Council a detailed discussion on the process of Armenia-European Union Action plan within European Neighbourhood Policy was held. The sides expressed satisfaction with successful implementation of the program. At the same time they mentioned that the whole potential of the program is not entirely exhausted and there are significant perspectives for broadening of cooperation.
On the request of the European side Minister Nalbandian presented negotiation process on the settlement of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) issue, as well as steps aimed at normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.
The European side welcomed the Moscow Declaration signed on November 2, joint Statement of Foreign Ministers of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries of December 4 and the Statement of the OSCE Ministerial Council of December 5 and encouraged to activate efforts aimed at the settlement of the issue.
The European Commission presented suggestion for Eastern Partnership which foresees deepening of cooperation between the European Union and member-states of the Partnership in a number of areas.
After the session Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian had a meeting with Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy.
Minister Nalbandian and Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner discussed a number of issues concerning cooperation between Armenia and European Union and exchanged views on regional developments.
After the meeting Edward Nalbandian, Jean-Pierre Jouyet, Secretary of State for European Affairs and Benita Ferrero-Waldner signed “Agreement between European Community and the Republic of Armenia on Certain Aspects of air services”, which will facilitate cooperation between Armenia and member-states of the European Union, as well as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway.  
On December 9, at noon Jean-Pierre Jouyet, Secretary of State for European Affairs, Javier Solana, High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy hosted an official lunch in honor of Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan and State Minister of Georgia on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.
Afterwards joint press conference of Edward Nalbandian, Javier Solana, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Elmar Mammadyarov and Giorgi Baramidze took place.
After the meetings at the European Council, Edward Nalbandian gave an interview to the Wall Street Journal.
On December 8, Edward Nalbandian delivered an broad speech on Armenian Foreign Policy at the Royal Institute for International Relations of Belgium. Francois-Xavier de Donnea, Minister of State of Belgium, Ambassador Peter Semneby, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Ambassador Robert Simmons, NATO Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia, members of Belgian Parliament and Senate, dozens of Ambassadors accredited in Brussels, representatives of government agencies, diplomatic corps, scientific centers and universities, political analysts, journalists were present at the Minister’s speech.
In his speech Armenian Foreign Minister presented Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) peace process. Touching upon the Statement of Foreign Ministers of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs in Helsinki calling on the parties to use the positive momentum created after the meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents, OSCE Foreign Ministers’ statement, and Azerbaijan’s response to it, Edward Nalbandian underlined that “It is not the first time that Azerbaijan after taking a step, I’ll say even half step, takes two backward steps and it is natural that a question occurs – whether Azerbaijan is ready to settle Artsakh issue today”? 
Edward Nalbandian also touched upon perspectives of normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations and stressed that the two countries are equally interested in establishment of diplomatic relations with each other and opening the border, so the normalization of relations without preconditions is reasonable. Armenian Foreign Minister positively and constructively appreciated his last contacts with Turkish Foreign Minister and mentioned that they have agreed to continue meetings.
The speech of Armenian Foreign Minister was followed by questions on different aspects of Armenia’s foreign policy.
On December 9, Minister Nalbandian concluded his visit to Brussels and on the same day left for Sofia, where he will join the delegation headed by President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.