Ambassador: EU to continue to assist Yerevan in establishing peace  and security in region

ArmInfo. The European Union is Armenia's key partner in implementing reform policies. This was  stated by head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, at the Armenian Democratic Forum on July 1.

According to him, the EU and the US are the largest donors to  Armenia, whose funds are directed towards developing and  strengthening democratic institutions in the country. "We are ready  to share our experience, as well as the experience of the countries  that are associated with the EU and want to become full members of  the European Union. Armenia makes good use of this experience, as  evidenced by the reforms aimed at developing the capabilities of the  country's citizens, political dialogue. We also work with civil  society, while helping the Armenian government in the implementation  of reform programs in the areas of justice and police, gender  equality, combating domestic violence, children's rights and media  freedom," Maragos said.

He pointed to the cooperation with the RA Ministry of Internal  Affairs, which came up with the initiative to implement important  reforms. As a result of these reforms, the Patrol Service was  established in the country, for the establishment of which the EU  provided 76 modern vehicles. Cooperation in the field of security and  justice reforms has also been successful, for which budgetary  assistance in the amount of about 40 million euros was provided. The  work in this area is still ongoing, as well as the work on the reform  of the judicial system.

Mr Maragos noted that the EU also provides assistance to Armenia in  the field of legislation, one of the manifestations of which was the  development of the draft law "On National Minorities". The Ambassador  expressed hope that this document will soon be approved by the  government and sent to the country's parliament. The Ambassador added  that comprehensive studies are being conducted together with the  World Bank to identify existing problems in the justice sector. The  EU representative noted that negotiations are currently ongoing with  Armenia on a new cooperation agenda, which will focus on issues  related to the development of democracy. Yerevan will also continue  to be assisted in establishing peace and security in the region in  the context of the sovereignty and independence of the republic. In  this regard, the Ambassador pointed out the important role of the EU  observation mission on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, which  contributes to ensuring stability.