Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan today met with Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security policy of the EU in Brussels.

Ashton noted that the meeting was an opportune occasion for an exchange of ideas regarding how to collectively strengthen relations between Armenia and the EU.

Despite Armenia’s public readiness to join the Russia-led Customs Union, FM Nalbandyan said that Armenia wished to explore all possible directions to facilitate cooperation with the EU, based on the achievements made on that direction so far.

Referring to the Customs Union, Nalbandyan added that such steps, however, must not hinder participation in other integration processes conducive to the interests of Armenia.

 In response, Ashton declared that the EU desired to continue to develop cooperation with Armenia in all directions that correspond to Armenia’s decision to join the Customs Union.