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Armenia-EU: Financial support in exchange for democracy and stability
Analysis | 07.03.12 | 12:19
Photolure
President Sargsyan participated in the meeting of NATO-Armenia in the
28+1 format
By Naira Hayrumyan
ArmeniaNow correspondent
The relations between Armenia and the European Union are entering a
new phase. President Serzh Sargsyan has visited Brussels to give
assurances that Armenia will continue its European integration and
cooperation with NATO.
While visiting the Belgian capital that is regarded as the political
center for both the EU and NATO, Sargsyan met European Commission
President Jose Manuel Barroso to say that `very important
developments' have taken place recently allowing Armenia and the EU
`to reach a new milestone in their relations.'
Enlarge Photo
RA President Serzh Sargsyan and European Commission President Jose
Manuel BarrosoThe Armenian leader said that `Armenia's relations with
the EU are anchored in the same system of values which is conditioned
by our historical, cultural, religious and linguistic similarities.'
He said both sides were mutually satisfied with considerable progress
achieved in the negotiations on the Armenia-EU Association Agreement,
and negotiations on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Zone and
visa regime facilitation were making headway.
Sargsyan said that Armenia is resolute to go on with the deep and
comprehensive reforms and hails the
European Union's `more assistance for more reforms' principle.
At the same time, the Armenian president said that if reforms were
going faster than expected, Armenia would expect `additional resources
that would, in turn, expedite the reforms themselves.' In fact,
Armenia is seeking increased aid from the European Union.
In response, Barroso said the EU neighborhood policy entitled `A New
Response to a Changing Neighborhood', which implies additional
assistance, may be available to countries that are working to
strengthen their democracy and respect human rights and fundamental
freedoms. `Additional funds may be available beginning in 2012,' said
the EU president.
At the same time, Barroso put forward yet another `condition'. He said
peace and stability in the region were needed to advance the common
goals of Armenia and the EU. `I reiterate the urgent need to resolve
the Karabakh conflict. The EU continues to support the efforts of the
OSCE Minsk Group,' he said. According to Barroso, the EU is ready to
work with the OSCE Minsk Group to help support confidence-building
measures, if the parties themselves wish to do so.
Earlier, the EU adopted a document in which it pointed out the need
for raising the EU role in the Karabakh settlement. The document for
the first time mentions that the EU should have direct access to
Karabakh.
In Brussels, President Sargsyan also participated in the meeting of
NATO-Armenia in the 28+1 format and met with NATO Secretary General
Anders Fogh Rasmussen. The sides also discussed the Karabakh problem
and Sargsyan reminded that a few days ago the president of Azerbaijan
declared that the worldwide Armenian nation is Azerbaijan's number one
enemy. `This fact must be given due assessment by the international
community,' stressed Sargsyan.
`Our relations contribute to regional and Euro-Atlantic security,'
said Rasmussen. `The South Caucasus region is of great importance for
the Alliance, and Armenia is an important partner for NATO,' he said.
The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan are among those invited to
attend a NATO Summit due to take place in the United States, on May
22.
Analysis | 07.03.12 | 12:19
Photolure
President Sargsyan participated in the meeting of NATO-Armenia in the
28+1 format
By Naira Hayrumyan
ArmeniaNow correspondent
The relations between Armenia and the European Union are entering a
new phase. President Serzh Sargsyan has visited Brussels to give
assurances that Armenia will continue its European integration and
cooperation with NATO.
While visiting the Belgian capital that is regarded as the political
center for both the EU and NATO, Sargsyan met European Commission
President Jose Manuel Barroso to say that `very important
developments' have taken place recently allowing Armenia and the EU
`to reach a new milestone in their relations.'
Enlarge Photo
RA President Serzh Sargsyan and European Commission President Jose
Manuel BarrosoThe Armenian leader said that `Armenia's relations with
the EU are anchored in the same system of values which is conditioned
by our historical, cultural, religious and linguistic similarities.'
He said both sides were mutually satisfied with considerable progress
achieved in the negotiations on the Armenia-EU Association Agreement,
and negotiations on the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Zone and
visa regime facilitation were making headway.
Sargsyan said that Armenia is resolute to go on with the deep and
comprehensive reforms and hails the
European Union's `more assistance for more reforms' principle.
At the same time, the Armenian president said that if reforms were
going faster than expected, Armenia would expect `additional resources
that would, in turn, expedite the reforms themselves.' In fact,
Armenia is seeking increased aid from the European Union.
In response, Barroso said the EU neighborhood policy entitled `A New
Response to a Changing Neighborhood', which implies additional
assistance, may be available to countries that are working to
strengthen their democracy and respect human rights and fundamental
freedoms. `Additional funds may be available beginning in 2012,' said
the EU president.
At the same time, Barroso put forward yet another `condition'. He said
peace and stability in the region were needed to advance the common
goals of Armenia and the EU. `I reiterate the urgent need to resolve
the Karabakh conflict. The EU continues to support the efforts of the
OSCE Minsk Group,' he said. According to Barroso, the EU is ready to
work with the OSCE Minsk Group to help support confidence-building
measures, if the parties themselves wish to do so.
Earlier, the EU adopted a document in which it pointed out the need
for raising the EU role in the Karabakh settlement. The document for
the first time mentions that the EU should have direct access to
Karabakh.
In Brussels, President Sargsyan also participated in the meeting of
NATO-Armenia in the 28+1 format and met with NATO Secretary General
Anders Fogh Rasmussen. The sides also discussed the Karabakh problem
and Sargsyan reminded that a few days ago the president of Azerbaijan
declared that the worldwide Armenian nation is Azerbaijan's number one
enemy. `This fact must be given due assessment by the international
community,' stressed Sargsyan.
`Our relations contribute to regional and Euro-Atlantic security,'
said Rasmussen. `The South Caucasus region is of great importance for
the Alliance, and Armenia is an important partner for NATO,' he said.
The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan are among those invited to
attend a NATO Summit due to take place in the United States, on May
22.