Being in a landlocked country, we in Armenia attach great importance to different integration projects, head of Armenian delegation to PACE Arpine Hovhannisyan said in her address to the Assembly delegates.

In her speech, Hovhannisyan shared some of the developments taking place in Armenia, which are of the utmost importance not only for Armenia but for the whole of Europe, in particular the recent agreement reached between Armenia and the European Union.

“The document is based on shared European values – a strong commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. It will deepen our co-operation in the fields of energy, transport, environment, investment and mobility, strengthening the rapprochement of our societies. We are giving a new political push to our sectoral co-operation, where we have registered sound achievements during past two years, and to the focus on infrastructure connections,” she said.

“Along with a number of vital issues, the agreement calls on us to join efforts in combating international terrorism, preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction and promoting conflict resolution. High Representative Mogherini said: “This agreement is the first of this kind that is concluded with a party that is also a member of the Eurasian Economic Union”.

Being in a landlocked country, we in Armenia attach great importance to different integration projects. Today, when the world faces serious challenges, dialogue and interaction are more important than ever. We live in conditions of new crises and threats and we are witnessing the deepening of dividing lines. In this time of globalisation, instability in one region can have consequences on a larger scale. Therefore, we must unite in our efforts to ensure stability and peace.

Co-operation between different integration entities can contribute to the formation of a common space without dividing lines. Our firm position is that participation in one integration community does not limit the possibility of co-operation with other structures. That is the formula for our participation in the Eurasian Economic Union and for our collaboration with the European Union. The European Parliament recommendation of 15 November 2017 on the Eastern Partnership, made in the run-up to the November 2017 summit, said: “Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with Armenia … serves as an example of how membership of the Eurasian Economic Union and participation in the EU’s neighbourhood strategies can coexist”. Dear colleagues, today we are proud to state that Armenia managed its diversification. That is our success story.”