Epress.am News from Armenia
The European Union and Eastern Partnership face challenges, said Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan yesterday during his brief speech at the XXII Congress of the European People's Party (EPP) held in Dublin between Mar. 6 and 7 this year.
"The Ukrainian events are a matter of serious concern to all of us. We regret profoundly that numerous human lives’ losses were registered in Kiev. Under the existing circumstances it is necessary to take all possible measures in order to ease the tension and find reasonable solutions by the means of a dialogue.
"As in the past we believe that expanding and deepening relations with a partner should not result in the emergence of new dividing lines. Armenia will continue its policy of complementing and harmonizing interests," he said.
Sargsyan then expressed his gratitude to the EU for deciding in December 2013 to give Armenia the "opportunity to benefit from the enhanced Generalised Scheme of Preferences."
"Nevertheless, for the successful implementation of the Scheme there is an important issue awaiting solution, which is unmaking of the illegal blockade that the European Union’s Customs Union member Turkey imposed on Armenia. Nowadays, when humankind gets ready to mark the centennial of the World War I and the horror it unleashed, Turkey continues its policy of denial, attempts to bury the memory of more than one million victims of the Armenian Genocide and disregard demands of a nation that was deprived of its homeland, refuses to repent for what had been done and thus pursues a xenophobic policy that at its roots is aimed at harming Armenia and Armenians.
"A key principle of the European system of values is not to remain silent, when there is an injustice, when there is a bigotry exposed, and especially when we witness manifestations of xenophobia. 'Never again!' has been our motto born out of calamity that two World Wars brought in. But there is only one way to make that motto come true: it is to remember, to condemn and to demand. It is incomprehensible and unacceptable to us, when any manifestations of fascism are being tolerated, when evident hate speech of the President of Azerbaijan, a Council of Europe member State, is pretended to go unnoticed. For the Eastern Partnership to work effectively we should employ straight and honest talk on the issues of reciprocal concern," he said.
In remarks directed to EPP President Joseph Daul, Sargsyan acknowledged the EU and its member states' assistance in supporting Armenia in its socioeconomic and institutional development, strengthening state agencies, public sector reform, the fight against corruption, and in poverty reduction.
"About two weeks ago, the National Security Council of Armenia approved an action plan for cooperation between Armenia and the EU in 2014 and 2015. We are committed to continue our efforts at seeking effective cooperation mechanisms with the EU, which will both reflect the essence of the preceding discussions we had with the EU and are compatible with the other cooperation formats," he concluded.