Armenia - EC Delegation News
30th years of UN Women’s Rights Convention
The 30th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) provides a great opportunity to reflect about the world’s situation of women’s rights. In spite of progress in the promotion of gender equality, discriminations on the basis of gender are still pervasive in all societies. Gender equality is a chapter of close co-operation between the European Union and international and regional organisations. In particular, the European Union engages with partner countries to combat the practice of discriminatory laws. Through its financial instruments, the EU supports complementary efforts by civil society organisations, such as activities on advocacy, monitoring and support to victims.
(25 December, 2009)
South Caucasus: European Commission provides €2 million for disaster risk reduction
The Commission has allocated €2 million for disaster preparedness in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. These countries regularly and increasingly experience natural phenomena such as landslides, mudslides, floods and earthquakes. This aid will strengthen the capacities of local and national authorities to better prepare and to cope with such disasters. The funds will be channelled through the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid department under the responsibility of Karel De Gucht.
(25 December, 2009)
Statement by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
“On my first day in office, I would like to recognise and pay tribute to the work of Javier Solana and Benita Ferrero-Waldner. Both have tirelessly advanced the common European project and have given so much of their time and effort to giving the European Union a stronger voice in foreign and security policy. I believe there has been important progress in this field over the past years, and this is in great part due to these two people, who I see as colleagues and friends. Javier and Benita have elevated the reputation of the European Union and ensured that we speak with conviction and clarity on the major issues that face us on the world stage”.
(7 December, 2009)
European Commission welcomes the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon
The Treaty of Lisbon enters into force today – 1 December 2009. The occasion will be marked by a ceremony in the City of Lisbon organised jointly by the Portuguese Government, the Swedish Presidency and the European Commission. The Commission believes that the new treaty provides significant new benefits for citizens and will settle the institutional debate for the foreseeable future. This will allow the European Union to fully concentrate on managing a smooth exit from the economic and financial crisis and pushing ahead with the 2020 strategy for greener growth.
(1 December, 2009)
Rehabilitation of the Railway between Tbilisi and Yerevan
The European Union financed an important project aiming at assessing the possibility of rehabilitating the railway line between Tbilisi and Yerevan in the frame of TRACECA Programme (Transport Corridor Europe Caucasus Asia). The main objective of the project “Rehabilitation of the Railway between Tbilisi and Yerevan” was to prepare a detailed assessment about the perspectives of refurbishing the Tbilisi-Yerevan railway line (as well as the alternative railway link between Yerevan and Tbilisi via Azerbaijan) in line with international standards of safety applicable to the transportation of passengers and goods.
(18 November, 2009)
Commission proposes €100 million macro-financial assistance to Armenia
The European Commission proposed on the 14 of October 2009 to the Council to provide macro-financial assistance to Armenia, in the form of a loan of up to €65 million and of a grant of up to €35 million. The assistance will support the adjustment programme agreed by the Armenian government with the International Monetary Fund to help the country through the global crisis.
(16 October, 2009)
Justice, Freedom and Security fact finding mission paid a visit to Armenia
In the scope of the EU-Armenia Justice, Freedom and Security Subcommittee, a fact finding group from the European Commission paid a visit to Armenia on October 6-7, 2009. The Justice, Legal and Security fact finding mission held different meetings with Armenian officials of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Territorial Administration, as well as Police, Migration Agency, National Security Service, General Prosecutor’s Office, Central Bank. The Delegation was also received by the Secretary of the National Security Council, Mr. Artur Baghdasaryan.
(7 October, 2009)
Edge back from the abyss - It’s time to deliver on climate change
Climate change is happening faster than we believed only two years ago. Continuing with business as usual almost certainly means dangerous, perhaps catastrophic, climate change during the course of this century. This is the most important challenge for this generation of politicians.
(23 September. 2009)
RA-EU Cooperation Committee tenth meeting was held in Yerevan
The Tenth Cooperation Committee meeting was chaired by the Minister of the Economy of RA, Mr. Nerses Yeritsyan, from the Armenian side and from the EU side by Mr. Gunnar Wiegand, Director for East Europe, DG RELEX, Ms. Ewa Synowiec, Director for bilateral relations with Europe (non EU) and Central Asia, DG Trade of the European Commission, and Mr. Johan Frisell, the Director of Eastern Europe Division of the Swedish Foreign Ministry, representing the EU Presidency.
(22 September, 2009)
“Road-show” on the Eastern Partnership in Yerevan
Formally adopted during the EU Summit in Prague last May, the Eastern Partnership is a new framework for bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the European Union and its Eastern neighbours. It aims at developing increasingly close political and economic ties with the Eastern neighbours, involving both the authorities and the civil society. The “Road-show” on the Eastern Partnership, which will be held in Yerevan on September 15-16 2009 - aims at involving key Armenian stakeholders and the wider public in an open discussion about the key purposes and principles of the Eastern Partnership and the benefits it offers.
(15 September, 2009)
Statement by Javier Solana on the normalisation of relations between Turkey and Armenia
“I welcome yesterday’s agreement between Turkey and Armenia to start internal political consultations on the protocols providing the framework for establishing diplomatic relations. This is a crucial step towards normalisation of bilateral relations, which would greatly contribute to peace, security and stability throughout an important region of Europe. I commend the courage and vision of both sides to move forward with this historic process. I hope the two protocols can be signed, ratified, and implemented in the near term. I congratulate Switzerland for its mediation efforts and stands ready to offer support and assistance to the normalisation process.”
(1 September, 2009)
Statement by Commissioners Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Olli Rehn on Turkey-Armenia relations
“The European Commission welcomes the agreement between Armenia and Turkey to advance the process of normalisation of relations. The European Commission attaches high importance to a rapid and steady implementation of the protocols on the establishment of diplomatic relations and on the development of bilateral relations. This agreement should contribute to peace and stability in the South Caucasus.”
(1 September, 2009)
Benita Ferrero-Waldner on plane crash in Iran
“It is with deep sorrow that I have heard the news about the crash of a passenger plane northwest of Teheran in which all passengers and crew aboard have died. My thoughts are with the families of those on board of that plane who have lost loved ones in this terrible event. I hope that the causes of this tragedy will be identified soon.”
(16 July, 2009)
10,000 Erasmus Mundus scholarships for 2009-2010
The European Commission has just awarded almost 10,000 new grants to be funded by the Erasmus Mundus programme in the academic year 2009-2010. 8,385 students and academics will come to study or teach in Europe, and 1,561 Europeans will spend periods at partner institutions in countries outside Europe.
(2 July, 2009)
Public Internal Financial Control in the European Union and Armenia
Today, 09 June 2009, Mr. Davtyan, Minister of Finance of Armenia, and Mr. de Luzenberger, Ambassador, Head of the EC Delegation to Armenia, are hosting the seminar “Public Internal Financial Control (PIFC) in the European Union and Armenia”. This seminar is attended by central government top managers, and focuses on PIFC as a new state of the art internal control approach for Armenia.
(9 June, 2009)
Commission launches 2009 Lorenzo Natali Prize for committed journalists
Interested journalists have until 30 June 2009 to apply (www.nataliprize2009.eu). The winners will receive their prizes at a special award ceremony in Stockholm in October, in the presence of the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid. Prizes worth a total of €60 000 will be awarded to the winners in the different sections: Africa, Europe, Maghreb/Middle East, Asia and Latin America/Caribbean.
(5 June, 2009)
ENP Progress reports: EU reinforces ties with its neighbours and continues to support their reforms
In its annual Progress Reports, the European Commission takes stock of the concrete reform achievements made by countries within the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) in 2008 and identifies the areas where further efforts are needed. In a policy paper on the implementation of the ENP presented today, the Commission provides an overview of developments in 12 ENP countries. It also highlights the impact of the financial crisis on them and proposes a number of ways the EU could contribute to their recovery process.
(23 April, 2009)
Joint meeting in the scope of the EU funded project
Joint meeting in the scope of the EU funded project “Institutional capacity building in the field of migration information and co-operation regarding reintegration of Armenian migrants”. On the 31st March 2009, a joint meeting of representatives of Agence Nationale des Etrangers et des Migrations (France), Assocaition Arménienne d’Aides Sociale (France), Migrations State Agency(Armenia), French Armenian Development Foundation (Armenia) took place in Yerevan.
(6 April, 2009)
Invitation to contribute an opinion on the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum
The Commission proposed “to support the further development of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)” and, in particular, “to establish an Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum to promote contacts among CSOs and facilitate their dialogue with public authorities”. The Commission services have begun to develop the concept leading to the establishment of the EaP Civil Society Forum.
(31 March, 2009)
The EC released EUR 3 million in budget support to Armenia from the Food Security Programme (FSP)
The overall objectives of the EC Food Security Programme for 2007-2008 were in tune with the Armenian Poverty Reduction Strategy and aim to contribute to the overall effort by the Government and the society to reduce poverty though sustainable economic growth and development, and to maintain the momentum for reform in agriculture.
(10 March, 2009)
The EC released EUR 3.25 mln under Sector Policy Support Programme in Vocational Education
The specific objective of the Sector Policy Programme is to strengthen the reform of the vocational education and training (VET) sector focusing on institutional capacity to steer and monitor the reform process as well as link it with budgeting and resource management. The programme has an overall budget of Euro 16 million.
(10 March, 2009)
Statement of Benita Ferrero-Waldner on the occasion of the International Women’s Day on 8 March
On the occasion of the International Women’s Day on 8 March, which this year carries the theme ‘Women and men united to end violence against women and girls’, Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner reaffirms the Commission’s continuing political and financial commitment to fight for women rights.
(6 March, 2009)
Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner to visit Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan
Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner will be traveling to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan from 19-22 January. During her visit the Commissioner will discuss proposals to substantially upgrade the level of political engagement with the EU’s Eastern neighbours in a new Eastern Partnership.
(16 January, 2009)
Joint statement by Armenia and the European Union on The EU Migration Mission to Armenia
An EU mission visited Yerevan on 10-12 December 2008 with the purpose of strengthening the dialogue on migration issues between Armenia and the EU.
(12 December, 2008)
Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Armenia
On December 11, 2008 “Armenian Camp: Language and Sailing School” NGO organized an exhibition to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Different paintings, ceramics and photos made by disabled children were exposed during the exhibition in the Academy Art Gallery in Yerevan.
(11 December, 2008)
EU signs aviation agreement with Armenia
The European Union and the Republic of Armenia today signed an aviation agreement which will allow all European airlines to fly between Armenia and any EU Member State.
(9 December, 2008)
EU-ARMEIA COOPERATIO COUCIL
The Cooperation Council between the European Union (EU) and the Republic of Armenia
held its ninth meeting on Tuesday 9 December 2008.
(9 December, 2008)
EU High Level Advisory Group to Armenia
The Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Eduard Nalbandyan and Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner have signed in Brussels on November 6th, 2008 a Declaration agreeing to the deployment of a team of high-level EU Advisers in selected key Armenian administrations to support the implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Action Plan in Armenia
(5 December, 2008)
JOINT STATEMENT by President of the European Commission and President of the Republic of Armenia,
During their meeting in Brussels on October 6, 2008, European Commission President H.E. Mr. José Manuel Barroso and President of the Republic of Armenia H.E. Mr. Serzh Sargsyan stated that the signing of the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan with all three Southern Caucasus countries in November 2006 opened a new era in the EU relations with the region, offering Armenia a deeper political relationship and broader economic integration.
(7 November, 2008)
EU High Representative for the CFSP, today met Serzh SARGSYAN, President of Armenia
The meeting provided a timely opportunity to discuss the latest political developments in Armenia, and EU-Armenia relations. Regional issues, in particular the recent rapprochement with Turkey and the possibility for improving the relations between both countries, were also discussed.
(5 November, 2008)
Railway between Tbilisi and Yerevan will be studied in the frame of EU “TRACECA” Programme
The European Union is launching an important project aimed at performing a feasibility study of the operating railway between Tbilisi and Yerevan in the frame of TRACECA Programme (Transport Corridor Europe Caucasus Asia).
(24 October, 2008)
Visit of Mr. Eneko Landaburu, Director General of External Relations, European Commission to Armenia
On October 16, 2008 Mr. Eneko Landaburu, Director General of External Relations, European Commission, paid a working visit to Armenia. The main purpose of the visit was to discuss European Union-Armenia relations, European Neighbourhood Policy and ENP Action Plan implementation, as well as regional issues and “Eastern Partnership Initiative”.
(16 October, 2008)
Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner calls for continued efforts to achieve abolition of death penalty
On the occasion of the World and European Day against the Death Penalty Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner said: “I am proud of the EU’s leading role in the international efforts to abolish the death penalty. Although over half the countries in the world have abolished the death penalty in law or practice, the global figures for its use remain much too high.”
A culmination of the EU’s efforts, actively supported by states from all regions of the world, was the adoption of the resolution on the moratorium on the use of the death penalty, by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2007.
(10 October, 2008)
The European Commission allocates EUR 3 million to Armenia from the Food Security Programme
On September 30, 2008 Mr. Marcus Cornaro, Director of Directorate “Europe, Southern Mediterranean, Middle East and Neighbourhood Policy” in EuropeAid Cooperation Office and Mr Tigran Davtyan, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Armenia, announced the allocation of 3mln Euro to Armenia from the Food Security Programme of the European Union mln Euro to Armenia.
The specific objective of the Programme is to assist the Government of Armenia to improve the design, management, delivery and effectiveness of state programmes and services in agriculture that are aimed at reducing food insecurity, and particularly to improve efficiency in the area of animal health and phytosanitary policy.
(30 September, 2008)
Armenia Joins European Heritage Days
On September 6 - 7, 2008 Armenia will join the European Heritage Days by a series of “Armenia Sacra” events. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) decided to declare the year 2008 as worship heritage year titled “Religious heritage and sacred places”. The “Armenia Sacra” events will promote recognition, conservation and appreciation of religious heritage. “European Heritage Days” were jointly launched and conducted since 1991 by the Council of Europe and the European Commission.
(4 September, 2008)
EU High Representative for the CFSP, meets Armenian Minister Edward Nalbandian
On June 18, Javier Solana, the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) met with Edward Nalbandian, the Foreign Minister of Armenia.
The meeting involved an in-depth discussion in which the situation in Armenia was reviewed, particularly the latest developments regarding the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The discussion follows a meeting between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan on June 7, 2008 in St.Petersburg.
(18 June, 2008)
EU Presidency statement on the situation in Armenia
The Presidency of the EU is concerned about the situation in Armenia, and calls on the Armenian authorities to lift the state of emergency. The Presidency is particularly concerned about reports of continuing arrests.
(12 March, 2008)
Message from Jose M. Barroso to President of Armenia
Mr.Barroso expressed his congratulations to the newly elected President of Armenia, Mr Serge Sargsyan. Mr. Barroso explained that the European Commission anticipated future cooperation with Armenia.
(8 April, 2008)
Delegation website: http://www.delarm.ec.europa.eu/en/index.htm