On January 19, Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian met with Benita Ferrero- Waldner, the European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, who was in Yerevan with working visit.

Welcoming the guest, Edward Nalbandian noted that the last year was very active for the development of Armenia-EU relations and Armenia’s policy of rapprochement to European family was continued during the year.

The two underlined the importance of the visit of President of Armenia to Brussels in 2008, and his meetings with the leadership of European structures, and Armenia-EU Council meeting, held in Brussels in December 2008. 

Commissioner Ferrero- Waldner expressed her gratitude on the expansion of cooperation with Armenia and welcomed Armenia’s readiness to host EU advisors who will support the reform process in Armenia. Benita Ferrero-Waldner presented the ideas of “Eastern Partnership “ proposal of the EC and noted that this program would give new opportunities for closer cooperation.

Foreign Minister of Armenia welcomed the proposal of “Eastern Partnership” and stressed Armenia’s readiness for active cooperation with the European Commission in this field. 

Minister Nalbandian and Commissioner Ferrero- Waldner discussed questions concerning the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh issue. In that context, Moscow’s declaration (November 2, 2008) and the adopted documents concerning Nagorno-Karabakh issue during the OSCE Foreign Ministers’ Council (December 4-5, Helsinki) were welcomed.

The two also exchanged views on possibilities of normalisation of Armenian-Turkish relations. They had discussed also several regional and international issues. 

The meeting was followed by joint press conference.

To listen to the entire press conference in Armenian, click here.