Yerevan/Mediamax/. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said that progress in the resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict "is vital if Armenia’s political association and economic integration with the EU is to achieve its full potential.”

Spokesman for EU High Representative said this in Brussels on June 27, following her meeting with President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.

Catherine Ashton expressed concern over the serious armed incidents in early June along the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the Line of Contact. She urged Armenia and Azerbaijan, as partner countries, to step up their efforts to reach agreement on the Madrid principles, as a basis for peace, and to implement fully the commitments made by their presidents in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Catherine Ashton welcomed  also welcomed recent reform achievements in Armenia as reflected in the European Neighborhood (ENP) Progress Report published on May15. She noted with pleasure that Armenia had recently launched Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area negotiations with the EU, having implemented a number of recommendations from the European Commission. At the same time she stressed the need for further reforms in other areas such as human rights and fundamental freedoms.