ARMENPRESS: EU ministers discuss support for Armenia at Foreign Affairs Council-format meeting

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan participated in an EU Foreign Affairs Council-format meeting at the invitation of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, and the foreign ministers of EU member states participated in the meeting, which was held over breakfast, according to the Armenian Foreign Ministry.

The EU Council earlier reported that, before the beginning of the FAC meeting, EU foreign affairs ministers would have an informal exchange over breakfast with Mirzoyan.

According to the Foreign Ministry's readout, the “EU partners congratulated Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on the democratic parliamentary elections held in Armenia and on the victory of the Civil Contract party.”

They underscored the EU's and its member states' support for the consistent implementation of the Armenia–EU strategic partnership agenda and their political commitment to advancing European integration.

“Minister Mirzoyan presented the developments in and around Armenia during the pre-election and post-election periods, emphasizing that through their vote, Armenia’s citizens reaffirmed their desire to live in peace and to safeguard the country’s independence, sovereignty, the irreversibility of democratic reforms, the chosen path toward prosperity, and Armenia’s aspirations for a European future,” the Foreign Ministry said.

Minister Mirzoyan noted that the fact that his first post-election visit is taking place in this format with the EU, with the aim of further deepening Armenia–EU cooperation, demonstrates the mutual commitment of both sides.

The parties exchanged views on practical mechanisms and possible steps to increase Armenia–EU trade, as well as to strengthen Armenia’s economic and energy resilience. Minister Mirzoyan highly valued the support provided thus far by the EU and its member states in countering hybrid threats and diversifying economic ties.

An agreement was reached to continue work in these areas through active cooperation with both EU institutions and individual EU member states.

Published by Armenpress, original at https://armenpress.am/en/article/1253036