Juncker, Pashinyan discuss EU financial assistance to Armenia, visa liberalization

YEREVAN - European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister reaffirmed the European Union's readiness to continue providing financial assistance to Armenia and promoting visa liberalization, the Armenian government press service said on Wednesday.

"European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said in a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Brussels that the EU reaffirms its readiness to continue financial and consultative assistance to Armenia," the report said.

The European Commission president said the EU will assist Armenia in issues relating to human rights protection and fundamental reforms on a number of tracks.

Pashinyan, for his part, said cooperation with the EU is very important to Armenia, in particular, for strengthening economic development and democratic institutions.

"Nikol Pashinyan said the European Union has not put Armenia before a geopolitical choice in the contest of reforms, which enables the government to freely work with European structures," the government press service said.

The meeting also addressed the visa liberalization process, the press service said.

"The meeting participants spoke about the importance of beginning dialogue in this direction. Jean-Claude Juncker said visa liberalization will not only deepen cooperation between states and governments, but will also stimulate human connections, and the EU is ready to assist that process," the Armenian government press service said.