YEREVAN, APRIL 2, NOYAN TAPAN. The implementation of measures on carrying out the Armenia-EU Action Plan for 2009 was summarized at the March 30 sitting of the interdepartmental commission coordinating cooperation of Armenian state bodies with European organizations. The sitting was conducted by Secretary of the National Security Council (NSC) Arthur Baghdasarian. A. Baghdasarian said that reforms in 190 directions that include 277 actions are envisaged within the framework of Armenia-EU cooperation. "Considerable work was done in 2009 as part of Armenia-EU cooperation. About 40 interdepartmental working groups were set up within the commission, with 10 concepts, one strategy and 4 national programs being developed. Summarizing the work done, we can say that 33% of planned actions either have been carried out or are at the completion stage, while the remaining work will be done in 2010-2011. All the projects within the framework of Armenia-EU cooperation shall be implemented within the envisaged period," A. Baghdasarian said. He expressed a positive opinion about the activities of the EU advisory group in Armenia. In his words, there is deep cooperation between the EU and Armenia, and both sides positively assess the large-scale reforms which covered almost all the spheres in the current phase of their implementation. Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Ms. Karine Ghazinian spoke about the work on signing the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between Armenia and the European Union. According to her, the aim of signing asociation agreements under the Eastern Partnership project is to deepen political association with EU partner states and to promote economic integration to ensure markets. The European Commissioner for EU Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy is expected to visit Armenia to discuss the issue of the mandate for negotiating an association agreement. The mandate will be given to Armenia by late April. The Association Agreement will contain guidelines on cooperation on economic integration, migration, and energy issues. It is planned to carry out reforms in the bodies responsible for fulfillment of the obligations under the agreement. The press service of the RA NSC reported that the sitting participants approved the program of information strategy on Armenia's European integration, as well as the following concepts: on the safe management of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel in Armenia, on the national program of human rights protection, on the introduction of the system of electronic passports and ID cards with biometric information in Armenia, and on ensuring technical safety in Armenia.

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