Armenia expresses hope for consistent continuation of EU policy to  promote trade diversification and exports of Armenian products - RA  premier 

ArmInfo. The European Union is one of Armenia's most important partners. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated this at a joint press conference with European  Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Yerevan on July 2.

He noted that this is the second visit by the President of the  European Commission to Armenia in the past year. The first visit took  place a couple of months ago during the 8th European Political  Community Summit and the first Armenia-EU Forum, which resulted in  important agreements. Cooperation between Armenia and the EU is based  on the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and the  Strategic Partnership Document. "We share the EU's fundamental values  and principles in the areas of democracy, the rule of law, and the  protection of human rights. Following the parliamentary elections  held on June 7, the people once again expressed their support for our  government in implementing its agenda of democratic reforms and  strengthening justice and peace," the head of the Armenian government  said.

Pashinyan noted that Armenia and the EU are now closer than ever  before, and this expression is becoming increasingly tangible every  day, gaining not only political but also economic application. The  Prime Minister noted that during his talks with Ursula von der Leyen,  issues related to expanding multi-sectoral cooperation and joint  efforts to implement various mechanisms of assistance to Armenia from  the European Union were discussed. In particular, the Armenian side  expressed gratitude to Brussels for providing ?52 million, which will  be used to support the country's state budget. Pashinyan also  expressed hope for the consistent continuation of the EU's policy of  promoting trade diversification and the export of Armenian products.  The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude to the European  Commission for developing a project to implement autonomous trade  measures for products from Armenia. With this preference, the country  could become the first non-EU member to enjoy trade preferences with  European Union countries.  "I hope that, following our work with  other EU institutions, we will be able to quickly complete the work  we have begun and make a decision on this issue," Nikol Pashinyan  emphasized.

He also pointed to another EU-supported project related to  connectivity. Last week, a letter of intent was signed in Brussels  with the EBRD and the EIB to conduct studies on the reconstruction of  three Armenian border crossing points and the construction of two  roads in the north of the country, with the possibility of subsequent  financing. Pashinyan also emphasized the importance of EU assistance  in the creation of storage power plants in the country, which will  enable the efficient management of electricity generated by solar  power plants. In the context of the established peace and the  unblocking of regional communications, the Prime Minister emphasized  the importance of energy connectivity, including with neighboring  Turkey and Azerbaijan, through the unification of energy systems and  power lines, which will contribute to energy security and the  transition to a green economy.