Austrian parliament ratifies Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement
30.05.2020,
05:52
The National Council of the Austrian Parliament on May 29 unanimously ratified the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Armenia and the European Union, the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported.
YEREVAN, May 30. /ARKA/. The National Council of the Austrian Parliament on May 29 unanimously ratified the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Armenia and the European Union, the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported.
It said the head of the Austria-South Caucasus parliamentary friendship group Gudrun Kugler praised the recent democratic changes in Armenia, saying that Armenia and Austria share the same system of Christian values and the ratification of the Agreement will further develop bilateral friendly relations.
Speaking before the vote Gudrun Kugler also noted that the Agreement is of great importance in creating a solid legal basis for cooperation between the EU and Armenia. According to her, it will contribute to stability and prosperity throughout the region and help improve the investment and business environment, which Armenian and European entrepreneurs, including small and medium-sized businesses, will be able to use.
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, Pamela Randy-Wagner, Head of the Austrian Parliament's Foreign Policy Commission and others also endorsed the ratification.
Out of 28 EU member states, 22 have already ratified CEPA. Belgium has also completed the internal procedures necessary for ratification of the Agreement, but has not yet reported to the EU General Secretariat.
CEPA was signed on November 24, 2017. After ratification by the Armenian parliament on April 11, 2018, the document came partially into force on June 1, 2018.
Armenia is the only member country of the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union to sign CEPA with the European Union. The agreement will fully enter into force upon ratification by all 28 EU member states and Armenia.
The objectives of the agreement is to strengthen dialogue between Armenia and EU in all areas of mutual interest by developing close relations, supporting the strengthening of democracy and political, economic and institutional stability in Armenia, as well as expanding cooperation in trade. The treaty, in particular, covers such areas as justice, security, economics, agriculture, the environment, social policy, health care, migration issues, education and science. -0-
It said the head of the Austria-South Caucasus parliamentary friendship group Gudrun Kugler praised the recent democratic changes in Armenia, saying that Armenia and Austria share the same system of Christian values and the ratification of the Agreement will further develop bilateral friendly relations.
Speaking before the vote Gudrun Kugler also noted that the Agreement is of great importance in creating a solid legal basis for cooperation between the EU and Armenia. According to her, it will contribute to stability and prosperity throughout the region and help improve the investment and business environment, which Armenian and European entrepreneurs, including small and medium-sized businesses, will be able to use.
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, Pamela Randy-Wagner, Head of the Austrian Parliament's Foreign Policy Commission and others also endorsed the ratification.
Out of 28 EU member states, 22 have already ratified CEPA. Belgium has also completed the internal procedures necessary for ratification of the Agreement, but has not yet reported to the EU General Secretariat.
CEPA was signed on November 24, 2017. After ratification by the Armenian parliament on April 11, 2018, the document came partially into force on June 1, 2018.
Armenia is the only member country of the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union to sign CEPA with the European Union. The agreement will fully enter into force upon ratification by all 28 EU member states and Armenia.
The objectives of the agreement is to strengthen dialogue between Armenia and EU in all areas of mutual interest by developing close relations, supporting the strengthening of democracy and political, economic and institutional stability in Armenia, as well as expanding cooperation in trade. The treaty, in particular, covers such areas as justice, security, economics, agriculture, the environment, social policy, health care, migration issues, education and science. -0-
