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RAUL DE LUZENBERGER: EU IS COMMITTED TO ENHANCING RELATIONS WITH ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
September 29, 2011 - 18:49 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Poland-hosted Eastern Partnership summit, will be
an opportunity to renew the political commitment of all participating
countries to the key objectives of the Partnership. It will review
progress made in the implementation of the Eastern Partnership over the
last two years based on shared values of democracy and human rights,
according to the head of the European Commission Delegation to Armenia.
As Ambassador Raul de Luzenberger stated in a conversation with a
PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, "as the EU High Representative for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European
Commission Ms. Ashton said, "In Poland, we will leave our partners in
no doubt that the EU's acknowledgement of their European aspirations
and their European choice goes hand in hand with our expectations
for their commitment to progressing towards deep and sustainable
democracy. Our Eastern partners are at different stages along this
path, and our role is to give practical support to that process of
their political association and economic integration with the EU.
Following the Review of the Neighbourhood policy undertaken by
myself and Stefan Fule, a key element is that the EU will apply more
conditionality in its actions, linking them more closely to the efforts
made by our partners towards reform. This means more financial support,
closer political cooperation and deeper economic integration for
those partners who have embarked on deep reforms. It is what we call
'more for more'. We are all committed to making the Warsaw Summit
a success, and to giving renewed momentum to building the closest
possible relations with our Eastern partners and neighbours."
The Summit will also decide on the next steps to ensure continued
progress toward deeper political association and economic integration
with the European Union based on Eastern European countries'
sustainable reform effort. In this respect, progress towards Deep
and Comprehensive Free trade Areas and in the area of mobility and
enhanced sector cooperation, notably in the field of transport, energy
and agriculture, will represent key deliverables. The Summit should
emphasise that the Eastern Partnership is based on common values
and principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law. The EaP Summit would also
underline the central role of civil society in pursuing the goals of
the Eastern Partnership and show the possibilities of creating new
instruments such as the European Endowment for Democracy and Civil
Society Facility. "
As the Ambassador further noted, "the EU is committed to further
enhancing relations with Armenia in the framework of the Eastern
Partnership. Good progress has taken place in the context of the
EU-Armenia Association Agreement negotiations, and Armenia has
already accomplished substantial preparatory work necessary to start
negotiations on the EU-Armenia Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area
and should continue its efforts in this direction. There is also good
progress regarding enhancing mobility between Armenia and the EU.
Talks on a mobility partnership are well advanced and the European
Commission has recently adopted draft negotiating directives for the
negotiations on visa facilitation and readmission agreements. Once
the Council approves these directives, negotiations with Armenia
can start."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
PanARMENIAN.Net
September 29, 2011 - 18:49 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Poland-hosted Eastern Partnership summit, will be
an opportunity to renew the political commitment of all participating
countries to the key objectives of the Partnership. It will review
progress made in the implementation of the Eastern Partnership over the
last two years based on shared values of democracy and human rights,
according to the head of the European Commission Delegation to Armenia.
As Ambassador Raul de Luzenberger stated in a conversation with a
PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, "as the EU High Representative for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European
Commission Ms. Ashton said, "In Poland, we will leave our partners in
no doubt that the EU's acknowledgement of their European aspirations
and their European choice goes hand in hand with our expectations
for their commitment to progressing towards deep and sustainable
democracy. Our Eastern partners are at different stages along this
path, and our role is to give practical support to that process of
their political association and economic integration with the EU.
Following the Review of the Neighbourhood policy undertaken by
myself and Stefan Fule, a key element is that the EU will apply more
conditionality in its actions, linking them more closely to the efforts
made by our partners towards reform. This means more financial support,
closer political cooperation and deeper economic integration for
those partners who have embarked on deep reforms. It is what we call
'more for more'. We are all committed to making the Warsaw Summit
a success, and to giving renewed momentum to building the closest
possible relations with our Eastern partners and neighbours."
The Summit will also decide on the next steps to ensure continued
progress toward deeper political association and economic integration
with the European Union based on Eastern European countries'
sustainable reform effort. In this respect, progress towards Deep
and Comprehensive Free trade Areas and in the area of mobility and
enhanced sector cooperation, notably in the field of transport, energy
and agriculture, will represent key deliverables. The Summit should
emphasise that the Eastern Partnership is based on common values
and principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law. The EaP Summit would also
underline the central role of civil society in pursuing the goals of
the Eastern Partnership and show the possibilities of creating new
instruments such as the European Endowment for Democracy and Civil
Society Facility. "
As the Ambassador further noted, "the EU is committed to further
enhancing relations with Armenia in the framework of the Eastern
Partnership. Good progress has taken place in the context of the
EU-Armenia Association Agreement negotiations, and Armenia has
already accomplished substantial preparatory work necessary to start
negotiations on the EU-Armenia Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area
and should continue its efforts in this direction. There is also good
progress regarding enhancing mobility between Armenia and the EU.
Talks on a mobility partnership are well advanced and the European
Commission has recently adopted draft negotiating directives for the
negotiations on visa facilitation and readmission agreements. Once
the Council approves these directives, negotiations with Armenia
can start."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress