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EXPAND EU FREE TRADE EASTWARDS, SAY MEPS
armradio.am
03.07.2012 16:28
The EU must build deep and comprehensive free trade areas with its
eastern neighbours to help them pursue democracy and prevent conflicts
in the region, says a resolution passed by MEPs on Tuesday. Parliament
makes specific recommendations to each of the six ex-USSR countries
(Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) in the
EU's Eastern Partnership.
"The central aim of the report is to promote and strengthen the rule
of law and civil society in the EU's Eastern Partner countries" said
rapporteur Miroslav Ransdorf (GUE-NGL, CZ), when presenting the report.
The EU is already the main export destination of most eastern
partnership countries, but MEPs worry that China's economic presence in
the region is growing, and that Russia could undermine the EU's trade
negotiations with its eastern partners, e.g. by offering them lower
gas prices. To help establish free trade areas, MEPs call on these
partners to bring their national laws into line with EU legislation.
Armenia
MEPs are concerned about Armenia's close links between politics and
business, less than transparent tax system and poor protection for
investors. They also draw attention to the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute
with Azerbaijan and point out that conflict with Turkey keeps Armenia
economically isolated. Opening up Armenia's borders will help reduce
its dependence on Russia, they add.
Azerbaijan
MEPs call on Azerbaijan to diversify its economy, noting that its
reliance on oil, which accounts for half its GDP, makes it vulnerable
to oil price volatility. They also call on the Azerbaijani government
to make the country more attractive to foreign investors.
Georgia
MEPs note that Georgia has the highest alleged prevalence of pirated
software of any eastern country and urge the Georgian authorities to
tackle this problem. The resolution calls on Georgia to ensure that,
after the conclusion of the free trade area negotiations, only products
originating from regions formally recognising their adhesion to the
Georgian state are eligible for trade preferences.
Negotiations for a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement with
Ukraine were completed in October 2011. The agreement will enter into
force after the conclusion of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
The first rounds of negotiations with Armenia, Georgia and Moldova
took place in spring 2012. Negotiations with Azerbaijan and Belarus
were suspended due to lack of progress.
From: A. Papazian
armradio.am
03.07.2012 16:28
The EU must build deep and comprehensive free trade areas with its
eastern neighbours to help them pursue democracy and prevent conflicts
in the region, says a resolution passed by MEPs on Tuesday. Parliament
makes specific recommendations to each of the six ex-USSR countries
(Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) in the
EU's Eastern Partnership.
"The central aim of the report is to promote and strengthen the rule
of law and civil society in the EU's Eastern Partner countries" said
rapporteur Miroslav Ransdorf (GUE-NGL, CZ), when presenting the report.
The EU is already the main export destination of most eastern
partnership countries, but MEPs worry that China's economic presence in
the region is growing, and that Russia could undermine the EU's trade
negotiations with its eastern partners, e.g. by offering them lower
gas prices. To help establish free trade areas, MEPs call on these
partners to bring their national laws into line with EU legislation.
Armenia
MEPs are concerned about Armenia's close links between politics and
business, less than transparent tax system and poor protection for
investors. They also draw attention to the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute
with Azerbaijan and point out that conflict with Turkey keeps Armenia
economically isolated. Opening up Armenia's borders will help reduce
its dependence on Russia, they add.
Azerbaijan
MEPs call on Azerbaijan to diversify its economy, noting that its
reliance on oil, which accounts for half its GDP, makes it vulnerable
to oil price volatility. They also call on the Azerbaijani government
to make the country more attractive to foreign investors.
Georgia
MEPs note that Georgia has the highest alleged prevalence of pirated
software of any eastern country and urge the Georgian authorities to
tackle this problem. The resolution calls on Georgia to ensure that,
after the conclusion of the free trade area negotiations, only products
originating from regions formally recognising their adhesion to the
Georgian state are eligible for trade preferences.
Negotiations for a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement with
Ukraine were completed in October 2011. The agreement will enter into
force after the conclusion of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.
The first rounds of negotiations with Armenia, Georgia and Moldova
took place in spring 2012. Negotiations with Azerbaijan and Belarus
were suspended due to lack of progress.
From: A. Papazian