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Credibility comes with transparency: We are proud to be one of the first Foreign Affairs NGOs registered in the EU's voluntary Transparency Register and committed to its Code of Conduct (reg. number 71696536357-87).
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Statement by EuFoA Secretary General, Michael Kambeck
Our Secretary General, Michael Kambeck, issued the following statement in response to an article published by Nouvelles d'Arménie Magazine in their April issue (No 195) and CivilNet on 10 April.Published on Wednesday 17 April 2013 -
Call for free and fair presidential elections by the Europe-Armenia Advisory Council
The Europe-Armenia Advisory Council (EAAC) looks forward to Armenia's presidential elections of 18 February 2013. The Council shares the European Union's desire to see further progress in ensuring free, fair and transparent elections in Armenia, conducted in accordance with the democratic standards to which Armenia has signed up.Published on Friday 15 February 2013 -
Voters show more trust in elections as race enters final phase – Hovhannisyan strongly gains while Sargsyan still looks most certain to win in 1st round
Today, 9 days before the presidential elections, TNS opinion is presenting the results of its survey "Poll: Armenia on the Eve of Presidential Elections" describing the voting preferences and motivations of the Armenian voters, but also their views on the on-going campaigns of the various candidates. For this TNS opinion poll, implemented together with their local partner IPSC, 1 609 face-to-face interviews were conducted in all 10 regions (marzes) and 12 communities of Yerevan between 31 January and 5 February 2013, using the highest possible standards and extensive quality control measures, as outlined below. The poll was commissioned by European Friends of Armenia in order to contribute to a factual debate ahead of the elections.Հայերեն լեզվով կարդալու համար խնդրում ենք սեղմել այստեղ:
Published on Saturday 9 February 2013 -
Armenians take elections seriously, despite clear lead of incumbent
Today, TNS opinion is presenting the results of its survey "Poll: A Snapshot ahead of Armenia's Presidential Elections", which describes the moods, voting preferences and motivations of the Armenian voters just before the beginning of the official electoral campaign period. For this TNS opinion poll, implemented together with their local partner IPSC, 1,607 face-to-face interviews were conducted in all 10 regions (marzes) and 12 communities of Yerevan between 15 and 20 January 2013, using the highest possible standards and extensive quality control measures, as outlined below. The poll was commissioned by European Friends of Armenia in order to contribute to a factual debate ahead of the elections.Հայերեն լեզվով կարդալու համար խնդրում ենք սեղմել այստեղ:
Published on Friday 25 January 2013 -
EU and Armenia seek conclusion of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade agreement in 1 year
European Friends of Armenia strongly supports the ambitious agenda outlined this week by Armenia and the EU, whereby the negotiations for a new Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), should be concluded before the Eastern Partnership (EaP) summit in Vilnius in November next year. The European Parliament and the Armenian National Assembly in their combined Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (PCC) positively assessed the ongoing negotiations and the connected reforms in Armenia, calling for a conclusion of the negotiations if possible before the Vilnius summit.Published on Monday 3 December 2012 -
Safarov crisis: Europe in full solidarity against Azerbaijan's anti-Armenian xenophobia - provocation to escalate Karabakh conflict should receive clever response
European Friends of Armenia strongly welcomes the unprecedented condemnations of Azerbaijan's anti-Armenian xenophobia by all European institutions and the international community. We are appalled that the open provocation and physical threat by Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev against Armenia and Armenians around the world has put the Karabakh conflict to the next level of escalation. This may be in the short term internal political interest of the President, who is facing "elections" in 2013. However, given his autocratic and so far unchallenged power base, the risk for him and his country and the damage caused stand in no relation to the short-lived political gain achieved through anti-Armenian nationalism and xenophobia.Published on Thursday 6 September 2012 -
Provisional conclusions of the Nagorno-Karabakh Presidential Election observation mission
On 19 July 2012, Presidential Elections took place in Nagorno-Karabakh (NK). While the NK Republic is internationally not recognised, European Friends of Armenia strongly welcomes the wish of the de-facto authorities to organise local self-government based on democratic principles. This wish has been underlined by inviting a large number of international observers, including a group of eight set up by ourselves.Published on Friday 20 July 2012 -
Snail pace Karabakh escalation brings dramatic risks for region and Europe
On 18 June 2012, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs met with the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Paris. The on-going snail pace escalation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict brings dramatic risks for the entire South-Caucasus region, as well as for the Middle East and Europe.Published on Tuesday 19 June 2012 -
Statement of the Europe-Armenia Advisory Council on Armenia’s Parliamentary Elections on 6 May 2012
The Europe-Armenia Advisory Council (EAAC), together with the entire European Union and much of the international community, look forward to the upcoming parliamentary elections on 6 May 2012. It will be the responsibility mainly of the Armenian government, but also of the opposition, media and civil society actors, to ensure that these elections will mark a step into a promising future for the country and its people.Published on Friday 4 May 2012 -
Poll: Campaign brings Republican Party to pole position and consolidates Heritage Party
Today, European Friends of Armenia publishes the results of its poll titled Last Assessment of Pre-Electoral Armenia. This TNS opinion supervised poll with an error margin of ±2,4% was subject to extensive quality controls and conducted by IPSC and EuFoA. The fieldwork with 1600 face-to-face interviews in all regions (marzes) of Armenia took place between 17 and 22 April 2012.Հայերեն լեզվով կարդալու համար խնդրում ենք սեղմել այստեղ:
Published on Saturday 28 April 2012 -
EP resolution sends strong support message for Armenia and Minsk Group
On 18 April 2012, the European Parliament (EP) adopted two resolutions in the context of the negotiations for the new Association Agreements with Armenia and with Azerbaijan. The report is particularly supportive for Armenia but also reminds of the remaining homework.Published on Thursday 19 April 2012 -
Understanding Armenia’s pre-electoral party landscape: EuFoA publishes Shortpaper
Today, 18 March 2012, European Friends of Armenia publishes a guide on the Armenian political parties, providing on roughly 1.5 pages per party the key facts about their alliances, poll and election data, history, leadership, political ideologies, foreign relations and European aspirations.Published on Wednesday 18 April 2012 -
Poll: Race for Armenian Parliament still entirely open!
Today, European Friends of Armenia publishes the results of its poll titled "Poll: A Snapshot of Pre-Electoral Armenia". The poll was conducted by Institute for Political and Sociological Consulting (IPSC) and EuFoA, with international polling company TNS opinion providing extensive quality control and supervision. The fieldwork was conducted between 29 February and 5 March 2012.
Published on Thursday 22 March 2012 -
DCFTA negotiations launched today – EuFoA shortpaper calls for widest possible consensus in Armenia
Today, 6 March 2012, the President of the European Commission, José Barroso, and the Armenian President, Serzh Sargsyan, officially start the negotiations for a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). The DCFTA has the potential to boost the Armenian economy, as it will speed up anyway necessary reforms.Published on Tuesday 6 March 2012 -
EU Council wants free access to Karabakh and for Armenia Visa Facilitation, free trade and more democratisation
On 27 February, the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU defined the framework for the EU's relations with the South Caucasus for the near future. The Council of the European Union is the EU's highest foreign policy body, convening on Foreign Minister level. Its mandates are binding for the European Commission and the European External Action Service lead by the High Representative Catherine Ashton.Published on Thursday 1 March 2012 -
Constitutional Court strengthens media freedom in Armenia
European Friends of Armenia strongly welcomes this week's ruling of Armenia's Constitutional Court, which strengthens media freedom. The ruling provides interpretation guidelines for the new defamation law, following a request by the Armenian Ombudsman, Karen Andreasyan.Published on Thursday 17 November 2011 -
Statement of the Europe-Armenia Advisory Council on Armenia’s Independence Day
The Europe-Armenia Advisory Council extends its warmest and most sincere congratulations to the people of Armenia today, 21 September, as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Armenia's independence. Situated in Europe's eastern periphery, this ancient Christian country with its profound cultural richness has successfully taken on the challenge of developing its young state.Published on Wednesday 21 September 2011 -
EuFoA publishes two new shortpapers: EU aid in Armenia AND Poll: Oil and democracy in UK-Azerbaijan relations
Today, European Friends of Armenia published a paper "Oil and democracy in the UK-Azerbaijan relations - an opinion poll analysis", in addition to a shortpaper "The EU's assistance and development programmes in Armenia - an introduction with concrete examples" on EU aid in Armenia, issued on Wednesday 31 August 2011.Published on Thursday 8 September 2011 -
Azerbaijani Deputy PM: Our Karabakh negotiations are only show for the international community
In a recent interview with Turkish media, the Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Hasanov has made a shockingly open statement, admitting that "Baku is negotiating with Yerevan solely for the sake of negotiating, as Azerbaijan would be labelled an 'anti-democratic state' if it did not participate in the meetings".Published on Monday 25 July 2011 -
Kazan postpones Karabakh solution as Azerbaijan again threatens war
Hopes had been flying high ahead of the Kazan summit of 25 June 2011, with the Minsk Group Co-Chairs repeatedly stating that the document for a solution of the Karabakh conflict now balances postulates of all parties to the conflict. However, despite the intensive pressure of the Co-Chairs, the Kazan summit did not offer the expected breakthrough.Published on Monday 27 June 2011 -
EP hearing clarifies hopes and fears for Kazan summit on Karabakh
During the European Parliament (EP) hearing of 15 June 2011 on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the OSCE Minsk-Group Co-Chairs Robert Bradke (USA) and Bernard Fassier (France) expressed hope for the upcoming Kazan trilateral summit, saying that an agreement on the Basic Principles for settling the conflict is within reach.Published on Thursday 16 June 2011 -
Europe hails Armenian dialogue as amnesty is implemented
Over the past 3 days, almost all European organisations hailed the amnesty passed by the Armenian National Assembly on 26 May 2011 and implemented within less than 24 hours. With this, the government has made a good-will gesture following demands of the Armenian National Congress (ANC), the most vocal of the three major opposition blocks.Published on Monday 30 May 2011 -
EuFoA hails new dialogue between government and opposition
Following a week of unusually conciliatory statements from government and opposition representatives, European Friends of Armenia hails the first steps towards a real political dialogue between the two camps.Published on Friday 29 April 2011 -
EuFoA welcomes EP Resolution on European Neighbourhood Policy
European Friends of Armenia strongly welcomes the new European Parliament (EP) resolution on the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The plenary adopted the text yesterday, 7 April 2011, which is a review of the Eastern Dimension of the ENP and summarises the EU's policy vis-à-vis Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.Published on Friday 8 April 2011 -
EuFoA welcomes police handling of demonstrations in Yerevan
European Friends of Armenia is relieved about the decision by Yerevan police to avoid any clashes and allow yesterday's demonstration of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) to move onto Opera Square, even though it was not authorised in that place.Published on Friday 18 March 2011 -
Sochi agreement now requires full implementation, lead by OSCE
European Friends of Armenia strongly welcomes the concrete results achieved in this weekend's trilateral summit in Sochi and now calls for their word-by-word implementation, under the lead-management of the OSCE. "Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan should be congratulated, as this is another concrete achievement of the peace negotiations in recent years, following in particular the presentation of the so-called Madrid Principles and the l'Aquila declaration on July 2009. At the time, this good result was watered down by the unwillingness to accept the Madrid Principles as a whole, which so far only Armenia is ready to do. This time, Azerbaijan has the chance to regain its credibility by co-operating with the OSCE Minsk Group fully in the implementation of the points all parties agreed to in Sochi", comments Michael Kambeck, EuFoA Secretary General.
Published on Monday 7 March 2011 -
Tomorrow's Sochi summit to push for observers?
Tomorrow, 5 March 2011, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan will meet in Sochi at the invitation of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for a tripartite meeting on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The latest meeting in that format was held in Astrakhan on 27 October 2010. European Friends of Armenia strongly welcomes this initiative and reminds that the entire international community must now realise their interests in the region, all of which will be in jeopardy without peace.Published on Friday 4 March 2011 -
Aliyev publicly admits to information war with Armenia – a war preparation?
Recent signs of increased war preparations by Azerbaijan deeply worry European Friends of Armenia and require international attention. We have observed greatly intensified activities in three areas:
1. Increased lobbying and propaganda activities
2. Increasingly obstructive peace negotiation strategies coupled with public war threats
3. Increased military acquisitionsNumerous examples back up these points, some of which are in the press release.
Published on Wednesday 26 January 2011 -
Nagorno-Karabakh poll: people want ceasefire consolidation
Today, European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA) is publishing the Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) poll of the first ever internationally conducted Comparative Opinion Polls in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh on Socio-Political Issues and Foreign Relations. Like in Armenia, the poll contains questions about NK's internal situation, Turkey, the NK conflict, the EU, the OSCE and other international players relevant for Armenia. Please click here to read the full report.Published on Thursday 25 November 2010 -
Poll in Armenia sheds light on OSCE image and other key political matters
Today, European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA) is publishing the Armenia poll of the first ever internationally conducted Comparative Opinion Polls in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh on Socio-Political Issues and Foreign Relations. The poll in Armenia contains questions about Armenia's internal situation, Turkey, Nagorno-Karabakh, the EU, the OSCE and other international players relevant for Armenia. Please click here to read the full report.Published on Tuesday 23 November 2010 -
NGOs commend Armenian Ombudsman
On 16 November, European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA) and the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU, www.agbu.org) held a joint policy briefing at EuFoA's Brussels office with Mr Armen Harutyunyan, Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia and Ms Jacqueline Hale (Open Society Institute) as discussant. The NGOs present commended the Ombudsman's contribution to the democratisation process in Armenia and his frank and credible analysis.Published on Tuesday 16 November 2010 -
EuFoA shortpaper sheds light on new Association Agreement negotiations between Armenia and the EU
Today, European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA) publishes its latest policy paper "A closer look at the EU-Armenia Association Agreement negotiations" on its website at www.eufoa.org/publications. This paper is, amongst others, the result of a round table on the Association Agreement negotiations, organised by EuFoA in July with Mr Gunnar Wiegand, Director for Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia at DG Relex in the European Commission, who is chief negotiator for the talks from the European side.Published on Tuesday 19 October 2010 -
European Parliament supports OSCE on Nagorno-Karabakh
The EP strongly supports the OSCE and renewed efforts for a cease fire consolidation in Nagorno-Karabakh, concludes a new short paper published by European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA) today. The short paper is entitled "Europe's options in Nagorno-Karabakh. An analysis of views of the European Parliament" and can be downloaded on the EuFoA website.Published on Thursday 16 September 2010 -
EU should speak with one voice on Karabakh at UN level
European Friends of Armenia has issued a call upon the EU to continue its support for the OSCE Minsk Group peace negotiations amid a new UN initiative on a Nagorno-Karabakh resolution recently launched by Azerbaijan.Published on Wednesday 1 September 2010 -
ICJ ruling boosts Armenian view on independence for Karabakh
On 22 July, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence. The ICJ ruling will have an influence on the Karabakh conflict, since it provides more legal clarity on the interpretation of peoples' right to self-determination.Published on Friday 23 July 2010 -
New Karabakh shootings prove war risk
Having just returned from a trip to Nagorno-Karabakh, European Friends of Armenia issues a press release on the continuous tension in Nagorno-Karabakh which started with a shooting incident during the night from 18 to 19 June on the contact line in the Mardakert region.Published on Thursday 24 June 2010 -
Ashton deliberations surprise Europe-Armenia Advisory Council meeting
The first meeting of the Europe-Armenia Advisory Council took place on 28-30 May in Larnaca, Cyprus. The meeting, chaired by Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, MEP and Vice-Chair of the EPP Group, focused on perspectives of the EU-Armenia partnership, especially in the context of the forthcoming Association Agreement negotiations, as well as the situation in the region.Published on Friday 4 June 2010 -
European Union stands by Armenia in new reports
This week, the European Union published two reports which are relevant for Armenia. According to these, the overall state of Armenia's relations with Europe is better than it has ever been before and looks set to improve further.Published on Friday 21 May 2010 -
Ashton regrets loss of momentum in Armenia-Turkey rapprochement
European Friends of Armenia welcomes the statement by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton, released yesterday 26 April on the normalisation process between Turkey and Armenia. As stressed in her declaration, the Armenian government remains committed to pursue the process of normalisation with Turkey and has not withdrawn the signature under the protocols.Published on Wednesday 28 April 2010 -
EuFoA express grief at His Excellency Bishop Joseph Homeyer's sudden death
It is with great sadness and dismay that we learned that one member of our Europe-Armenia Advisory Council, His Excellency Bishop Joseph Homeyer, bishop emeritus of Hildesheim and former head of COMECE (Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community) recently passed away.Published on Wednesday 14 April 2010 -
EU gives new impetus for Armenia-cooperation and Turkey rapprochement
This week, the EU has strongly stepped up its support for Armenia, with a high-level visit to Yerevan by EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Štefan Füle, and an official statement by the EU's High Representative for Foreign Policy, Catherine Ashton. Both steps were key demands expressed by EuFoA's Europe-Armenia Advisory Council (EAAC) in an Open Letter published in the European Voice on 10 February.Published on Thursday 8 April 2010 -
Europe-Armenia Advisory Council publishes call for action on Armenia-Turkey rapprochement
The Europe-Armenia Advisory Council issued an open letter, published in the European media today, to call key European actors to be more involved in the rapprochement between Armenia and Turkey.Published on Thursday 11 February 2010 -
New EuFoA paper calls for EU action on Armenia-Turkey rapprochement
Today, European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA) publishes its lates policy paper "Armenia-Turkey Rapprochement: Historic Turning Point or Missed Opportunity?" on its website at www.eufoa.org/publications.
Published on Wednesday 9 December 2009 -
Prof Coulie remarks Armenian root of Nagorno-Karabakh in euronews interview
This week, euronews is broadcasting a report on Nagorno-Karabakh including an interview with Professor Bernard Coulie, honorary rector of the Catholic University of Leuven and member of the Europe-Armenia Advisory Council.Published on Tuesday 1 December 2009 -
EuFoA hosts round-table with H.E Mr Arman Kirakossian
Today, 27 November, European Friends of Armenia held a policy briefing at its Brussels office with H.E. Mr. Arman Kirakossian, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia responsible for International Organisations and Armenia-Turkey relations. Key representatives of European Institutions, Brussels-based think-tanks, NGOs and mass media, as well as diplomats took part in this event.
Published on Friday 27 November 2009 -
EuFoA hosts a conference in the framework of NATO week in Armenia
On Tuesday, 13 October in Yerevan, EuFoA hosted a conference in the framework of NATO week in Armenia, co-sponsored by NATO.Published on Tuesday 13 October 2009 -
EuFoA round-table with H.E. Karine Ghazinyan sees EU role in Turkey rapprochement
On Tuesday, 6 October, European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA) organised a round-table with H.E. Karine Ghazinyan.Published on Wednesday 7 October 2009 -
EuFoA organises a conference in the framework of NATO week in Armenia
European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA) is organising a conference in the framework of NATO week in Armenia, entitled "EU and NATO - how to secure stability for Armenia and the South Caucasus".Published on Friday 2 October 2009 -
Breakthrough or diplomatic tactics? Armenia and Turkey could solve first bilateral dispute in the region
European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA) sees a historic window of opportunity in the new roadmap and timeframe for the establishment of diplomatic links and open borders between Turkey and Armenia without precondition.Published on Tuesday 1 September 2009 -
EuFoA publishes policy paper "An EU in Change: What effects on relations with Armenia?"
Today, European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA) published its latest policy paper "An EU in change: What effects on relations with Armenia?" on its website www.eufoa.org.Published on Tuesday 28 July 2009 -
General amnesty in Armenia: a turning point in Armenia-Europe relations?
On 19 June, the Armenian Parliament (National Assembly) has decided a General Amnesty to persons deprived of their liberty in relation with the post electoral riots on 1 March 2008.Published on Tuesday 30 June 2009 -
EuFoA creates Europe-Armenia Advisory Council
European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA) is delighted to announce today the launch of the Europe-Armenia Advisory Council. Based in Brussels, the Council will be a unique body to promote relations between Europe and Armenia from the European side.Published on Friday 5 June 2009 -
Comparative Opinion Polls in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh on Socio-Political Issues and Foreign Relations - Armenia results
Press release, Executive Summary, Questionnaire (all in Armenian) and Full report (in English) of the Armenia results of the Comparative Opinion Polls in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh on Socio-Political Issues and Foreign RelationsPublished on Monday 25 May 2009
If you would like to be kept informed of EuFoA activities, please click here.