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HEAD OF EU MISSION IN ARMENIA: ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT DOES NOT AIM TO SOLVE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT
Today
http://www.today.az/news/regions/71728.html
Aug 3 2010
Azerbaijan
Although bilateral agreements in the sphere of economy contribute to
establishing peace and stability, the Association Agreement between
EU and South Caucasus countries does not envisage intervention in
the conflict settlement processes, said the head of EU mission to
Armenia Raul de Lyutsenberger.
"We certainly want to play a more active role in resolving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, because we want this issue to be resolved
peacefully. Nevertheless, the association agreement makes no attempt
to interfere in the process," de Lyutsenberger said in an interview
with ArmInfo.
The first round of negotiations on the EU Association Agreement with
the three South Caucasus countries - Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia -
took place in mid July. Agreement is based on joint commitments to
develop common values and covers a wide range of spheres including
political dialogue, justice, freedom and security, as well as issues
of trade and cooperation.
The EU is not directly involved in the peace talks on Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict settlement. The EU supports the efforts of OSCE Minsk Group -
officially recognized international format for negotiations. Within
the Minsk Group, the peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia have
been continuing since May 1994 - the moment when the parties reached
a cease-fire agreement.
The Association Agreement was signed with all three South
Caucasus countries simultaneously, and this is important, says de
Lyutsenberger. The EU aims to complete the process simultaneously
with all three countries, he said.
"But, ultimately, this will depend on the countries, he said. -
Practically the speed of the negotiation process and their scope
depend on the preparedness of the partner countries to implement the
provisions stipulated in the agreement."
The Association Agreement does not envisage accession of Armenia [or
any other South Caucasus countries] to the EU, said de Lyutsenberger.
The task of the agreement is to intensify relations and open the
domestic market of Armenia.
"Further integration with Armenia is work that could theoretically
contribute to the process of accession to the EU. At the same time,
this is not a task of the agreement, the ambassador said. - In
accordance with article 42 of the EC Agreement, Armenia joined many
international conventions, and as a member of the Council of Europe,
it can apply for membership to the EU. Association Agreement does not
put obstacles on this path, but it is not implied for this purpose."
An important part of the Association Agreement is to facilitate the
visa regime between the EU and South Caucasus countries.
"We aspire to such a policy of visa regime, which will cover a broad
category of citizens of Armenia. The difficulty may arise in some
details of the legislative and administrative provisions that exist
in Armenia, and we need to consider them during negotiations with
the authorities," said de Lyutsenberger.
Both sides will decide for which particular categories of citizens
the facilitated visa regime will act. It could be ordinary citizens
as well. The question is open for dialogue, he said.
From: A. Papazian
Today
http://www.today.az/news/regions/71728.html
Aug 3 2010
Azerbaijan
Although bilateral agreements in the sphere of economy contribute to
establishing peace and stability, the Association Agreement between
EU and South Caucasus countries does not envisage intervention in
the conflict settlement processes, said the head of EU mission to
Armenia Raul de Lyutsenberger.
"We certainly want to play a more active role in resolving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, because we want this issue to be resolved
peacefully. Nevertheless, the association agreement makes no attempt
to interfere in the process," de Lyutsenberger said in an interview
with ArmInfo.
The first round of negotiations on the EU Association Agreement with
the three South Caucasus countries - Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia -
took place in mid July. Agreement is based on joint commitments to
develop common values and covers a wide range of spheres including
political dialogue, justice, freedom and security, as well as issues
of trade and cooperation.
The EU is not directly involved in the peace talks on Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict settlement. The EU supports the efforts of OSCE Minsk Group -
officially recognized international format for negotiations. Within
the Minsk Group, the peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia have
been continuing since May 1994 - the moment when the parties reached
a cease-fire agreement.
The Association Agreement was signed with all three South
Caucasus countries simultaneously, and this is important, says de
Lyutsenberger. The EU aims to complete the process simultaneously
with all three countries, he said.
"But, ultimately, this will depend on the countries, he said. -
Practically the speed of the negotiation process and their scope
depend on the preparedness of the partner countries to implement the
provisions stipulated in the agreement."
The Association Agreement does not envisage accession of Armenia [or
any other South Caucasus countries] to the EU, said de Lyutsenberger.
The task of the agreement is to intensify relations and open the
domestic market of Armenia.
"Further integration with Armenia is work that could theoretically
contribute to the process of accession to the EU. At the same time,
this is not a task of the agreement, the ambassador said. - In
accordance with article 42 of the EC Agreement, Armenia joined many
international conventions, and as a member of the Council of Europe,
it can apply for membership to the EU. Association Agreement does not
put obstacles on this path, but it is not implied for this purpose."
An important part of the Association Agreement is to facilitate the
visa regime between the EU and South Caucasus countries.
"We aspire to such a policy of visa regime, which will cover a broad
category of citizens of Armenia. The difficulty may arise in some
details of the legislative and administrative provisions that exist
in Armenia, and we need to consider them during negotiations with
the authorities," said de Lyutsenberger.
Both sides will decide for which particular categories of citizens
the facilitated visa regime will act. It could be ordinary citizens
as well. The question is open for dialogue, he said.
From: A. Papazian