The President extended congratulations to the Armenian Prime Minister on the second anniversary of the Velvet Revolution after which Nikol Pashinyan became the Prime Minister of Armenia. The President welcomed Armenia’s active efforts to implement the reforms in cooperation with the European Union, in particular, in the context of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. When discussing the reform of the Armenian justice system, namely the reform of the Constitutional Court, the President called for the experts of Council of Europe and Lithuania to be involved to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the process.
Nuclear safety was also addressed during the conversation. The President welcomed the transparency of the Metsamor nuclear power plant in Armenia as well as the implementation of safety standards and EU stress-test recommendations under the supervision of international experts and expressed concern over the safety of the Ostravets NPP and the rush to launch it even before the implementation of EU stress-test requirements. The President expressed hope that Armenia would share its successful experience of operating an NPP with Belarus and highlight the importance of ensuring the supervision of EU experts.
During the conversation, bilateral economic cooperation between Lithuania and Armenia was discussed. Being an active supporter of democratic reforms in Eastern Europe, Lithuania is prepared to share its experience and competences with Armenia in areas of judicial system, renewable energy, environmental protection as well as development of IT in the public sector.
The leaders discussed the dynamics of the spread of the coronavirus, strategy to mitigate the consequences of the virus as well as easing of quarantine restrictions. The President emphasized that solidarity and unity among countries was highly important in the face of this unprecedented crisis and welcomed the EU’s initiative to provide support to the Eastern Partnership countries. Lithuania also donated to Armenia medical supplies made by Lithuanian manufacturers, they should reach the region by mid-May.
The conference call was held at Armenia’s initiative in preparation for the upcoming EU Eastern Partnership Summit on June 18. President Nausėda held talks with all the leaders of the Eastern Partnership countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
