Armenia and Azerbaijan, members of the EU's Eastern Partnership initiative, deserve praise for their progress in the ties with the Union, according to Bulgarian MEP Kristian Vigenin.

Vigenin, who is the Co-Chair of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, the parliamentary component of the proposed Eastern Partnership consisting of members of the European Parliament and Parliaments of Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, spoke Wednesday during a debate at the European Parliament on Wednesday.

"It's important not only to criticize, but also to recognize the progress of these two nations," Vigenin stated, adding that the EP foreign relations committee has adopted its reports on Armenia and Azerbaijan almost unanimously, and that he expects a similar vote at the Parliament itself, according to his website.

The Bulgarian MEP noted Armenia's progress in its legislative reforms, and its ambition to hold the most democratic elections in its history on May 6, 2012. He emphasized that the swift progress in the talks for Armenia's association agreement with the EU indicates that the Caucasus state relies on expanding its ties with the Union.

As far as Azerbaijan is concerned, Vigenin noted that it is rapidly becoming a strongly ally of the EU of growing regional importance not only with respect to energy, but also with respect to security and diplomacy.

"Keep up the good work!" he said, addressing Armenia and Azerbaijan.

While lauding the policies of EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele towards Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vigenin believes that the EU can help build trust between the two states in order to help resolve the Nagorny Karabakh conflict.

He stressed the importance of the recent Euronest assembly meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan's capital, with the full-fledged participation of the Armenian delegation.

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