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As the European Union continues to implementing the Eastern Partnership objectives, it will choose the level of ambition individually, reflecting national practices and policy implementation by the partners, said Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius, who on behalf of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy took part in the meeting of the EU-Armenia Cooperation Council alongside the Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle.

The Minister stressed that the Eastern Partnership, including its bilateral track, is based on mutual values and commitments to the rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights, including gender equality.

“A sufficient level of progress in terms of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, will have great importance in considerations for the deepening of the bilateral relations between the EU and its partners in the framework of the Eastern Partnership,” said Minister Linkevičius.

Minister stressed the importance of further development of the multilateral track of the Eastern Partnership and congratulated Armenia for hosting the Informal Eastern Partnership Dialogue in the second half of 2013 and welcomed the participation of the Armenian representatives at the events in the multilateral framework of the EaP, notably, in the sectoral cooperation meetings of Justice and Home Affairs and Transport Ministers.

Minister Linkevičius reiterated that Armenia’s membership in the Customs Union and in the formation of the Eurasian Economic Union is incompatible with the Association and Free Trade Area agreement. The Minister confirmed the EU readiness to explore options for taking forward the bilateral relationship, in a number of areas which are compatible with the Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union and participation in the Eurasian integration process, including democracy, human rights, rule of law, sectoral cooperation and mobility.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Minister reiterated the EU support for the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and welcomed the recent meeting of the Presidents and the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan and their agreement to further advance negotiations.

“Only peace can help unleash the full potential of the South Caucasus region as a gateway between Europe and Asia,” said Minister Linkevičius.

Minister welcomed the ratification of the Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements with Armenia and looked forward for their entry into force in the beginning of the next year stressing that it will contribute to promoting people-to-people contacts.