Ambassador Balayan participated in the Discussion on “Armenia in Focus: Navigating the Eastern Partnership, Regional Security, and European Integration”

On November 12, at the initiative of the leadership of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, Discussion on the topic "Armenia in Focus: Navigating the Eastern Partnership, Regional Security, and European Integration" was held. Dorotha Dlushi-Suliga, Head of Division of Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus of the EU External Action Service, David Cullen, Deputy Director and Head of Unit of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus & Eastern Partnership Coordination at the DG Near, the leadership of the EaP Civil Society Forum, representatives from the European Parliament, the European Office of Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung and those of Armenia-EU Civil Society Platform participated in the discussion, amongst others.

During the discussion, Ambassador Tigran Balayan made welcoming remarks as well as participated in the discussion on the "Armenia's European Horizon: Pathways to European Integration" as a panelist.

At the outset, expressing his gratitude to the EaP Civil Society Forum for the initiative, Ambassador Balayan mentioned that, as in all democratic states, in Armenia as well decisions are made as a result of inclusive processes, and the preparedness of representatives of civil society is directly related to the effectiveness of their dialogue with the state. In this regard, Tigran Balayan attached high importance to the activity of the Armenia-EU civil society platform, which provides an opportunity for exchange of experience amongst civil society representatives and further development .

Continuing his speech, Ambassador Balayan summarized the progress achieved in Armenia-EU relations over the last year, noting that there is still much to be done that requires long and hard work. Tigran Balayan emphasized that the target of the foreign policy of the Armenian government is the interests of Armenia, and that all other actions stem from that. In this process, Ambassador Balayan highlighted the role of civil society aimed at increasing the efficiency of the government's work.

Other speakers referred to the positive developments of Armenia-EU cooperation in their respective fields, and highly appreciated the reforms, implemented by the RA government, underlying the importance of continuity thereof.