In an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) Armenian Service, RSC Director Richard Giragosian hailed the upcoming visit to Armenia by Federica Mogherini, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission. Giragosian noted that this visit is only “the latest reaffirmation of Armenia’s enhanced strategic significance” and represents an “important step in Armenia’s course of regaining and restoring a relationship with the European Union.”
Giragosian, who will also meet with Mogherini during her visit, added that “this visit also shows that the development of Armenia’s relations with the European Union is accelerating. This is a rare opportunity for Armenia to reshape relations with the European Union, and the possibility for the EU to strengthen the Eastern Partnership program.”
The RSC director went on to explain that the visit comes in the wake of the 7 December launch of formal negotiations between Armenia and the EU over a new “legal framework” for a deepening of ties. It also follows a more recent session of the Armenia-EU Cooperation Council held in Brussels last month, with Foreign Minister Nalbandyan leading the Armenian delegation.
The current stage of negotiations requires a greater degree of political will by the Armenian government, however, and the EU is clearly expecting the Armenian authorities to speed up reforms, especially in the areas of democratization, strengthening the rule of law, fighting against corruption and enforcing the protection of human rights. And in the wake of the December 2015 constitutional amendments, the necessity to reform the electoral system now stands as a pressing concern.
The EU High Representative is charged with coordinating and carrying out the EU’s foreign and security policy, known as the “Common Foreign and Security Policy” (CFSP) and the “Common Security and Defence Policy” (CSDP).