Armenian PM, French leader discuss Yerevan's cooperation with EU

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and French President Emmanuel Macron have discussed the dialogue around visa liberalisation between Armenia and the European Union at a meeting in Budapest.

“The sides touched upon issues related to joint programmes in the spheres of economy, infrastructure and other sectors,” Caliber.Az reports, citing a press statement by the Armenian government.

According to the statement, "Issues related to Armenia-European Union cooperation were discussed, including the reforms implemented in our country with the EU support, as well as the dialogue around the liberalization of the visa regime."

Moreover, the sides shared views on the process of normalisation of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations.

Pashinyan emphasised Armenia's commitment to the peace agenda and steps to ensure regional security and stability.

In June this year, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev stated that it would be "simply impossible" to reach a peace deal with Armenia if its constitution "remains unchanged". The Armenian constitution’s basis, the Declaration of Independence, "contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan".

Armenia’s Declaration of Independence, signed in August 1990, includes a joint decision by the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Karabakh Council to "reunify the Armenian SSR and the Mountainous Region of Karabakh".

By Khagan Isayev