Armenia continues intensive cooperation with Western partners. With their active assistance, Armenia has for many years carried out large-scale reforms aimed at improving the democratic institutions, ensuring the rule of law, and increasing the role of civil society in running the state, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan stated today at the 3rd International Forum of Alumni of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations being held at Karen Demirchyan Sport and Concert Complex in Yerevan, according to the presidential press service.



S. Sargsyan recalled that recently the Council of the European Union authorized the European Commission and the High Representative to open negotiations on a new, legally binding and overarching agreement with Armenia, and adopted the corresponding negotiating mandate.



The Armenian president said that bilateral ties with European countries, in particular France and Germany, are dynamically developing.

“Armenia maintains an active dialog with the United States at various levels. The intergovernmental commission has intensified its activities. A trade and investment agreement was signed. The visa regime has been simplified. Responding to global challenges and threats is a focus of attention. In particular, Armenia as a country having a nuclear power plant is involved in a nuclear security initiative. Armenia has contributed to NATO-led peacekeeping operations.”



“Our relations with countries of Asian-Pacific Region and Latin America have become more active in recent years. During my state visit to China in March this year, the long-term direction of cooperation in trade, economy, energy sector, transport, and humanitarian sphere were outlined. We see much potential in implementing large infrastructure projects in the format of Silk Road Economic Belt initiative that will help diversify the logistic capacities of Armenia as well as other member states of the Eurasian Economic Union,” President Sargsyan said in his speech.

