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ARMENIA-EU ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT NEGOTIATIONS LAUNCHED
Aysor
July 19 2010
Armenia
The first plenary meetings over Association Agreement between the
Republic of Armenia and European Union were launched today in Yerevan.
Deputy Foreign Minister Karine Kazinian told a press conference that
the Association Agreement is set to reflect strong ties between
the sides and guidelines of close cooperation in foreign policy,
keeping security, democracy, economic integration, human rights,
energy spheres.
"This agreement aims at strengthening political association with the
European Union and promoting economic integration for the purpose of
standardization with EU legislation and criteria," Mrs. Kazinian said
mentioning that a special team and three working groups were formed
by Armenian President's order to carry out negotiations with EU over
the Association Agreement. Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan will
coordinate team and working groups activities.
"The negotiations will proceed by the format of plenary meetings and
working groups," Deputy Foreign Minister said adding that according
to the three working groups, the negotiation process will mostly
include three spheres - political, justice, and economic. She also
noted that the third stage of negotiations will be held in Brussels.
Gunnar Wiegand, Director of the European Commission's External
Relations Directorate-General for Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus,
and Central Asia, in return, told reporters that the launch of the
negotiations is a decisive step towards closer Armenia-EU relations.
"Today we move towards political association and economic integration
between the European Union and Armenia. It is a step of historical
significance that comes to replace our former agreement relations -
Basic Frame Agreement we had since the 90s. We will have a modern,
new and all-embracing circle to enable us to carry out cooperation
in the mentioned spheres," the European official said noting that
strengthening security, prosperity and democracy in the South Caucasus
is an issue of strategic interest for EU. He noted that the mentioned
directions are involved in EU Eastern Partnership.
Gunnar Wiegand also expressed satisfaction with discussions in the
spheres of internal affairs and justice.
"Relations with Armenia develop swiftly," he said.
From: A. Papazian
Aysor
July 19 2010
Armenia
The first plenary meetings over Association Agreement between the
Republic of Armenia and European Union were launched today in Yerevan.
Deputy Foreign Minister Karine Kazinian told a press conference that
the Association Agreement is set to reflect strong ties between
the sides and guidelines of close cooperation in foreign policy,
keeping security, democracy, economic integration, human rights,
energy spheres.
"This agreement aims at strengthening political association with the
European Union and promoting economic integration for the purpose of
standardization with EU legislation and criteria," Mrs. Kazinian said
mentioning that a special team and three working groups were formed
by Armenian President's order to carry out negotiations with EU over
the Association Agreement. Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan will
coordinate team and working groups activities.
"The negotiations will proceed by the format of plenary meetings and
working groups," Deputy Foreign Minister said adding that according
to the three working groups, the negotiation process will mostly
include three spheres - political, justice, and economic. She also
noted that the third stage of negotiations will be held in Brussels.
Gunnar Wiegand, Director of the European Commission's External
Relations Directorate-General for Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus,
and Central Asia, in return, told reporters that the launch of the
negotiations is a decisive step towards closer Armenia-EU relations.
"Today we move towards political association and economic integration
between the European Union and Armenia. It is a step of historical
significance that comes to replace our former agreement relations -
Basic Frame Agreement we had since the 90s. We will have a modern,
new and all-embracing circle to enable us to carry out cooperation
in the mentioned spheres," the European official said noting that
strengthening security, prosperity and democracy in the South Caucasus
is an issue of strategic interest for EU. He noted that the mentioned
directions are involved in EU Eastern Partnership.
Gunnar Wiegand also expressed satisfaction with discussions in the
spheres of internal affairs and justice.
"Relations with Armenia develop swiftly," he said.
From: A. Papazian