Acting Prime Minister Nicol Pashinyan received Thomas Mayr-Harting, Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia at the European External Action Service (EEAS).

The Acting Prime Minister noted the importance of continued development of EU-Armenia relations and expressed the hope that these relations would be upgraded through joint efforts. Nikol Pashinyan touched upon the political changes underway in Armenia and the proposed snap parliamentary elections, noting that his government’s steps were aimed at developing and strengthening democracy, holding free, fair and transparent elections as it was the case with the recent elections to the Yerevan Council of Elders.

Nikol Pashinyan stressed that the election results had not been questioned by other stakeholders and all election campaign participants congratulated the winner. Regarding the reform process, Nikol Pashinyan highlighted the importance of cooperation with the EU within the framework of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement.

He stressed that the Armenian government is keen to develop democracy, reform the judiciary, improve education, civil society, governance, and infrastructure, as well as to promote human rights in the country. At the same time, Nikol Pashinyan noted that the Armenian government attaches great importance to women’s active role in public and political life and is taking steps to enhance their participation in decision-making processes.

Complimenting Nikol Pashinyan for high-level organization of the 17th Summit of the International Organization of La Francophonie, Thomas Mayr-Harting referred to the agenda of EU-Armenia relations. He stressed that the EU welcomes the efforts of the Armenian government and is ready to assist in the implementation of the ongoing reforms.

The parties discussed the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, stressing the need for shaping an atmosphere conducive to negotiations. Nikol Pashinyan and Thomas Mayr-Harting stressed the need for exclusively peaceful settlement of the problem in the OSCE Minsk Group format. The interlocutors exchanged views on other regional issues.