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The peaceful democratic transformation opens up new avenues of cooperation within the framework of the Eastern Partnership (EaP), Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said in his remarks at the EaP Ministerial Meeting in Luxembourg, his ministry’s press service said.

According to the Armenian foreign policy chief, the targets identified by the "20 Deliverables for 2020", particularly in such areas as advancing the economic development and market opportunities, strengthening institutions and good governance, fostering connectivity, energy efficiency, mobility and people-to-people contacts, as well as the protection of environment are the key priorities of the new Armenian government. 

“In the previous five months the Government of Armenia has been specifically focused on the objectives of fostering the rule of law, fighting corruption and strengthening democratic institutions. In our actions and activities by far we have a good measure of tangible results, as well as strong recognition of the imperative of continuity and sustainability of such efforts. Equally important is the priority of fostering our national development agenda.

The results of the municipal elections in Yerevan in September manifest the continued strong public support and mandate rendered to the political base of the Prime Minister and our Government. The popular demand for conducting extraordinary elections defines the present political momentum. Elections are expected in December 2018. As was the case with the municipal elections, the conduct of genuinely free and fair general elections is the absolute priority and the strong political will of this Government. The Government welcomes and appreciates the technical and financial support of the European Union and its member states for the conduct of elections.

Armenia’s Velvet Revolution has been strictly homegrown and is of an exclusively domestic nature. Both in its program and in the actual conduct of policies the Government has been distinctly adhering to continuity of its foreign policy, both at bilateral and multilateral levels, aimed at the promotion of regional and international peace, stability and mutually reinforcing cooperation. Armenia’s foreign policy is strictly Armenia centered,” Mnatsakanyan said in his speech.

Reflecting on the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) conflict, he stressed the status and security of Artsakh are Armenia’s top priorities. “Nagorno-Karabakh is a party with the decisive voice in the peace settlement and should have a more immediate engagement. And we are talking about this of course,” he said.

“As we are approaching the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership, we should pay attention to not repeating the mistakes of the past and preserving the Initiative to what it is: first and foremost a partnership of people for improving lives in our countries and bringing our societies closer together. In this context I would also emphasize the very important priority of visa liberalization, which we are pushing forward with EU countries,” the FM concluded.