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Gennemførelse af østpartnerskabsinitiativet i Armenien og udvikling af samarbejdet mellem de lokale og regionale myndigheder i Armenien og EU

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Opinion Number: CDR 168/2010
Rapporteur: KALLASVEE Teet
Commission: CIVEX
Status: Adopted
Date: 02/12/2010
 
The opinions assess to what extent LRAs are involved in the preparation of bilateral cooperation agreements with the EU and the implementation of the Eastern Partnership Initiative, including the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument (ENPI) and Cross Border Cooperation. The opinion on Armenia in particular welcomes the first election for the Mayor of the City of Yerevan held in May 2009 and the fact that the capital has acquired a new status and its own law following the constitutional changes of 2005
THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS



- underlines that the current situation in Armenia and the trajectory of its political development have to be understood in the context of the country's religious heritage and troubled history which includes constant foreign invasions and the traumatic experience of the genocide committed against Armenians in the early part of the 20th century;

- welcomes that the first election for the Mayor of the City of Yerevan were held in May 2009 but notes that more efforts are needed on the improvement of the electoral conduct. Welcomes the fact that the capital has acquired a new status and its own law following the constitutional changes of 2005. Since the entry into force of the constitution, the focus is now on the consolidation or merger of the other local authorities. In this context, the CoR is concerned that, even though an agreement has been reached on this – and on the most important on the enlargement of powers of local authority leaders – this agreement has not yet been implemented;

- acknowledges the particular progresses made by Armenia in its relationship with the European Union notably through the 2006 joint EU-Armenia ENP action plan, the opening of an EU delegation in 2008 and the work of the EU advisory group since 2009;

- thinks it is important that negotiations with Armenia on a visa facilitation and readmission agreement get underway soon. Cutting tariffs and simplifying visa rules make a real difference to people-to-people contacts and better relations in all areas.
Del:
 
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