EU-Armenia Relations

[Alexandros]

Re: EU-Armenia Relations

Very true. Armenia can further integrate with the EU in a social, economic capacity and have strategic relations with Russia. The EU is not a military alliance.

You`re right however the EU is moving in to becoming a military alliance. It`s going to take some time but the faster the better in my opinion.

[Mos]

Re: EU-Armenia Relations

You`re right however the EU is moving in to becoming a military alliance. It`s going to take some time but the faster the better in my opinion.

who said? EU has enough problems with the Eurozone, let alone a military alliance. NATO takes care of the military aspect, even though they are no affiliated with EU.

[Alexandros]

Re: EU-Armenia Relations

who said? EU has enough problems with the Eurozone, let alone a military alliance. NATO takes care of the military aspect, even though they are no affiliated with EU.

The Lisbon treaty lays the ground for EU countries who wants to further integrate their armies into a common European army. Here`s more to read about it:

Germany Calls for EU Army

February 10, 2010 | From theTrumpet.com

http://www.thetrumpet.com/?q=6977.5479.0.0

And the financial and economic crisis - and not to mention the war in Libya shows that the EU needs to create a common European army. By having a common EU army, EU countries could cut their defence spending since there is no risk for an EU country going to war against another EU country. And in order to have a stronger say in the global arena we also need to have a common EU army - the war in Libya has shown that the EU had to wait for USA to react which is a shame and shows a bad and a weak picture of the EU.

[Mos]

Re: EU-Armenia Relations

Good slap in the face for Azerbaijan:

BRUSSELS—The European Parliament on Thursday passed a resolution unanimously condemning Azerbaijan continued human rights violations and Baku’s oppression of opposition forces and press during its plenary convened in Strasbourg, reported the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy.
During oral discussion at the plenary session, representatives of all political factions strongly condemened Azerbaijan’s executive and judicial branches for their continued breach of human rights norms. The European Parliament also stressed that European Union should not bow to Aliyev’s regime because of Azerbaijan’s import of oil and gas.
Under the basic freedoms, human rights and democracy agenda item members of parliament discussed and unanimously approved the resolution condemning Azerbaijan for “the increasing number of incidents of harassment, attacks and violence against civil society and social network activists and journalists in Azerbaijan.”
The resolution “strongly deplores the practice of intimidating, arresting, prosecuting and convicting independent journalists and political activists on various criminal charges.”
The European Parliament also urged the authorities of Azerbaijan “to safeguard all necessary conditions to allow the media, including opposition media, to operate, so that journalists can work and report freely without any pressure, and to pay special attention to the safety of journalists; in this regard recalls the pledge given by President Ilham Aliyev in 2005, in which he asserted that the rights of every journalist were protected and defended by the State.”
The resolution expressed deep concern about “the worsening human rights situation in the Republic of Azerbaijan; calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to safeguard the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and other international treaties to which the Republic of Azerbaijan is a party and to respect OSCE and Council of Europe commitments.”
Below is the complete text of the resolution:
European Parliament resolution of 12 May 2011 on Azerbaijan
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Azerbaijan, in particular that of 17 December 2009 ,
– having regard to its resolutions of 20 May 2010 on the need for an EU strategy for the South Caucasus, of 7 April 2011 on the review of the European Neighbourhood Policy – Eastern Dimension and of 20 January 2011 on an EU Strategy for the Black Sea,
– having regard to the statement by the spokesperson of the Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy of 18 April 2011 and the statement by the EU Delegation office in Baku of 10 March 2011,
– having regard to the conclusions of the Eastern Partnership Foreign Ministers’meeting of 13 December 2010,
– having regard to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EC and Azerbaijan which entered into force in 1999,
– having regard to the statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media on the attack on journalists of 10 March 2011 and of 28 March 2011,
– having regard to the report by the ODIHR Election Observation Mission on the parliamentary elections of 7 November 2010,
– having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas Azerbaijan is actively participating in the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership, is a founding member of Euronest and is committed to respecting democracy, human rights and the rule of law, which are core values of these initiatives,
B. whereas since 15 July 2010 negotiations have been launched on an EU-Azerbaijan Association Agreement based on joint commitments to a set of shared values, covering a wide range of areas, including political dialogue, justice, freedom and security, as well as trade and cooperation in sectoral policies,
C. whereas although, according to the joint statement of the Election Observation Mission composed by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament, the 7 November parliamentary elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan were characterised by a peaceful atmosphere and all opposition parties participated in the political process, nonetheless the conduct of these elections overall was not sufficient to constitute meaningful progress in the democratic development of the country,
D. whereas a wide-ranging clampdown on freedom of expression and assembly is being carried out in Azerbaijan following the peaceful protests against the government on 11 March and 2 April 2011; whereas the clampdown includes arrests, harassment and intimidation of civil society activists, media professionals and opposition politicians in Azerbaijan,
E. whereas the cases of the activists Jabbar Savalan and Bakhtiyar Hajiev are of particular concern; whereas Mr Savalan, a member of the youth group of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP), and Mr Hajiyev, an activist and former parliamentary candidate, were apparently targeted for using Facebook to call for demonstrations against the government; whereas Mr Savalan was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for allegedly possessing drugs; whereas Mr Hajiev was arrested on 4 March after calling on Facebook for demonstrations against the government and now faces two years in jail for allegedly evading military service; whereas serious doubts exist as regards the fairness of the trials of Mr Savalan and Mr Hajiyev,
F. whereas in mid-March Azerbaijani courts sentenced at least 30 people who took part in those peaceful protests to between 5 and 8 days in prison in late-night trials that were closed to the public; whereas most defendants did not have access to counsel of their choosing; whereas the police refused to allow detainees to contact lawyers and whereas lawyers for some of the defendants did not know when or where the trials were being held,
G. whereas around 200 activists were arrested on 2 April 2011, including the head of the Youth Organisation of the Musavat Party, Tural Abbasli,
H. whereas the Human Rights House Azerbaijan, which is a member of the International Human Rights House Network, registered in Azerbaijan in May 2007, was closed down by the authorities following an order of the Ministry of Justice issued on 10 March 2011; whereas the Ministry justified the closure by reference to a breach by the organisation of the Azerbaijani Law on Non-Governmental Organisations,
I. whereas the European Court of Human Rights ordered the Republic of Azerbaijan to release the jailed journalist Eynulla Fatullayev from prison and to pay him EUR 25 000 in moral damages,
J. whereas Azerbaijan is a member of the Council of Europe and a party to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as well as a number of other international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
1. Expresses its deep concern at the increasing number of incidents of harassment, attacks and violence against civil society and social network activists and journalists in Azerbaijan;
2. Strongly deplores the practice of intimidating, arresting, prosecuting and convicting independent journalists and political activists on various criminal charges;
3. Deplores the arrest of around 200 people prior to, and during, the anti-government protests of 2 April 2011 in Baku; calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to allow peaceful protest as well as freedom of assembly, which are central tenets of an open and democratic society; deplores the physical violence used against protesters;
4. Calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to release all members of the opposition, youth activists and bloggers remaining in custody after the peaceful demonstrations of 11 March and 2 and 17 April 2011, to release Mr Savalan and Mr Hajiyev and to drop the charges against them; calls on the Government of Azerbaijan to respect the international conventions that it has ratified by respecting freedom of expression;
5. Urges the authorities to safeguard all necessary conditions to allow the media, including opposition media, to operate, so that journalists can work and report freely without any pressure, and to pay special attention to the safety of journalists; in this regard recalls the pledge given by President Ilham Aliyev in 2005, in which he asserted that the rights of every journalist were protected and defended by the State;
6. Expresses its concern at reports of threats in prison against newspaper editor Eynulla Fatullayev, the deterioration in his health which has been exacerbated and denial of access to medical care, and calls for his immediate release;
7. Is worried about the worsening human rights situation in the Republic of Azerbaijan; calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to safeguard the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and other international treaties to which the Republic of Azerbaijan is a party and to respect OSCE and Council of Europe commitments;
8. Deplores recent written ‘termination of activity’ warnings sent from the Azerbaijani Justice Ministry to the National Democratic Institute and the Human Rights House Network and urges, in this respect, the Azerbaijani authorities to allow the latter organisation to continue its activities in the country without any further hindrance;
9. Calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to maintain a dialogue with members of civil-society organisations and to take all steps to allow individuals to freely engage in peaceful, democratic activities and to allow activists to organise freely and without government interference;
10. Encourages the Azerbaijani authorities to allow peaceful demonstrations to take place in relevant locations and urges them to refrain from intimidating the organisers by detaining them and charging them with criminal and other offences; regrets that some youth activists have been expelled from Baku State University after missing examinations while in police custody linked to their political activities;
11. Welcomes the recent release from jail of the two bloggers Adnan Hajizade and Emin Abdullayev (Milli);
12. Considers access to information and communication technologies, including free and uncensored access to the internet, essential for the development of democracy and the rule of law and as a means of promoting exchanges and communication between the Azerbaijanis and the EU;
13. Calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to address shortcomings identified by the OSCE/ODIHR final report on the parliamentary elections and expects further cooperation with the Venice Commission to ensure that Azerbaijan’s electoral legislation is fully in line with international norms and standards;
14. Calls for renewed efforts by Azerbaijan to implement in full during its final year the ENP Action Plan and on the Commission to continue to assist Azerbaijan in such efforts;
15. Welcomes the establishment of the new subcommittees of the EU-Azerbaijan Cooperation Committee, which will strengthen the institutional framework for discussions in the field of justice, freedom and security and on respect for human rights and democracy;
16. Welcomes the Azerbaijani contribution to the Eastern Partnership and the participation of the delegation from the Milli Majlis in the inaugural session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly;
17. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the High Representative / Vice-President of the Commission, the Council, the Commission, the President, Government and Parliament of Azerbaijan and the OSCE/ODIHR.

[Mos]

Re: EU-Armenia Relations

....

Armenia is home to Europeans – EP president


May 18, 2011 | 18:35
YEREVAN. – President of European Parliament Jerzy Buzek said Armenia is home to both Armenians and Europeans.

“Armenia is Europe,” he said at a press conference held in Yerevan on Wednesday.

Armenia is an important neighbor for the European Union, especially in the South Caucasus. He cited famous singer Charles Aznavour, “After winter passes a tree of life will blossom for you, Armenia”.

Despite the fact that choice of future is the prerogative of Armenia’s leadership, Buzek said it would be better if the republic chose democracy.

“Europe’s experience proves effectiveness of this way,” he noted.

The European official stressed that cooperation between Armenia and EU on associate membership, relaxation of visa requirements, and promotion of trade cooperation will be more effective with harmonized value system.

[Mos]

Re: EU-Armenia Relations

....

European Parliament President Says Armenia Part of Europe


YEREVAN—During a meeting Wednesday with President Serzh Sarkisian, visiting European Parliament president, Jerzy Buzek said throughout history, Armenia has always been part of Europe.

The meeting between the two leaders centered on strengthening cooperation between Armenia and Europe and Sarkisian stressed that frequent meetings and the active dialogue with representatives of the European community have positively impacted Armenia’s policy of European integration.

Sarkisian said, the Armenia-EU relations have been dynamically developing over the past years, encompassing not only the fields of foreign policy and trade, but also domestic reforms targeted at ensuring the prosperity of the people.

“Armenia is willing to continue the path of reforms on the basis of the European experience and with the EU support,” said Sarkisian adding that cooperation with the EU is one of Armenia’s foreign policy priorities.

Buzek expressed confidence in the success of reforms in Armenia, which he said can serve as an example for other countries that have chosen the European integration path.

He added that Armenia’s history had always been tied with Europe, saying “You have always been part of Europe throughout your history.”

At a press conference following the meeting, Buzek said that although the European Parliament did not consider Nagorno-Karabakh an independent state, it will not prevent the body in providing assistance to the people living in the region.

He stressed that the needs of ordinary people living in this territory and their desire to communicate with citizens of foreign countries should be forgotten.

“We must provide humanitarian aid to these people, regardless of unresolved political conflict. It is better to extend a hand of friendship than be in war,” said Buzek, adding that security guarantees should be ensured throughout Europe.

Also on Wednesday, Buzek visited the Dzidzernagapert Memorial Monument and Museum and laid a wreath in honor of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

He also toured the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, where he wrote a message in the Commemoration Book. He then planted a fir tree at the Memorial Alley of the Dzidzernagapert Complex.

[Tigranakert]

Re: EU-Armenia Relations

A perfect example of "democracy" and respect for "human rights" in Europe:

http://www.20minutos.tv/video/bmuvFKLO-brutalidad-en-la-plaza-de-cataluna/

Of course, these rules only count for the countries they want to put pressure on, not for themselves. If it was Armenia, Russia, the media would have written dozens of articles of the terrible "regime", violating "human rights" and all the other cliche stories....

Hell, the oppositions of the camp "Levon" insult and even push Armenian policeman away, and they get away with it nowadays (not even speaking on when they were shooting and trowing grenades during the "peaceful" demonstrations of 2008). And now we are releasing criminals who would have got life or at least 20 years in Europe....

[Tigranakert]

Re: EU-Armenia Relations

This is also an interesting article about how they treat "human rights" in Switzerland (Europe), cutting the rope holding two protesters on both sides of a bridge, which nearly killed them.

http://www.aubonnebridge.net/

Martin Shaw and Gesine Wenzel nearly lost their lives during the Aubonne Bridge Action against the G8 in Evian 2003 when the police cut the climbing rope that held both activists. Martin survived the 23m fall only due to sheer luck but was crippled from the extensive bone breakage he suffered. Gesine Wenzel had her life saved in the last second by her collegues on the bridge. Both activists were found guilty and sentenced for blocking the road and endangering life in 2004. They filed a complaint against the police, which was initially rejected. It was only after an appeal was upheld that a courtcase against the senior officer on the bridge, Claude Poget, and the officer who cut the rope, Michael Deiss, took place in January this year. After three days the judge found the police not guilty without being able to produce any reasonable arguments. The judge, Pierre Bruttin, stated that it was the activists’ own fault saying if they had not been hanging from the bridge, the police could not have cut the rope. Secondly, the prosecutor, Daniel Stoll, admitted that objectively seen, the police had made several mistakes, but that subjectively this was understandable due to the stress they were exposed to and by the fact that this form of protest action was unknown to them. He withdraw the accusation.

[Federate]

Re: EU-Armenia Relations

Euronest may become anti-Russian platform-ARFD MP

May 31, 2011 | 15:28

YEREVAN. - The joint founding meeting of the Armenian delegation to Euronest and public organizations, involved in the “Eastern Partnership” political platform, has started in the Armenian Parliament.

The Armenian delegation to Euronest has decided on close cooperation with the public sector, leader of Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARFD) Vahan Hovhannisyan said at the meeting.

He emphasized that the meeting aims at designing joint steps of the Armenian delegation’s further activities in Euronest. The ARFD member noted that the Armenian delegation will face difficulties due to unresolved regional problems, as well as domestic issues, mainly related to democratization.

Hovhannisyan also said that the format of the Euronest may become a major anti-Russian project which conflicts with Armenia’s interest. “The Armenian delegation should try to maintain the balance at the organization,” the MP stressed.

The Euronest Parliamentary Assembly is the parliamentary component of the proposed eastern Partnership. It consists of members of the European Parliament and Parliaments of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia. After the elections in Belarus in 2010 were declared as flawed by the OSCE, the membership of Belarus in Euronest was automatically suspended.

http://news.am/eng/news/61430.html

[Mos]

Re: EU-Armenia Relations

.....

EU POSITIVELY ASSESSES THE LEVEL OF COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA



YEREVAN, June 10. /ARKA/. EU positively assesses the level of cooperation with Armenia, said the Managing Director of European Service of Foreign Affairs on the issues of Russia, East Partnership and West Balkan Miroslav Laicak during the meeting with the Secretary of National, Security Council Artur Baghdasaryan.

Laicak highly appreciated the process of negotiations around the Agreement on Association Armenia-EU, as well as preparation of negotiations about comprehensive free trade.

He welcomed the efforts of Armenia on facilitation of visa regime with EU mentioning that delay of this process is conditioned by horizontal review of migration policy by EU.

Currently EU expects from its partners not only stability, but progress and reforms.
Baghdasaryan welcomed the new individual approach which demonstrates EU in the context of strengthening relations with the countries of “East Partnership”.

During the meeting the parties also discussed regional issues and the process of regulation of
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. --0--