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ARMENIA MUST MAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS
In an exclusive interview with Lragir.am the ambassador of the UK to
Armenia John Aves explained the growing interest of the UK officials
in Armenia by dynamics of relations between Armenia and the EU. The UK
supports enlargement of the EU and Eastern Partnership. We are pleased
to see progress towards the signing of the Association Agreement with
the EU, the ambassador said.
As a second reason, he notes that the new UK government, unlike the
former government which focused on general issues, supports development
of bilateral relations. The main component of bilateral relations is
trade relations, he said.
Ambassador Aves said in November of last year British entrepreneurs
visited Armenia but there are no commitments yet. Ten days later
another group interested in Armenia will arrive.
The UK succeeds in trade relations with those countries with which
it has historical relations but now the country is trying to enter
markets where traditionally it has not been present. However, the
Armenian government must also work towards making Armenia more
attractive for investors, and the first step should be ensuring
the rule of law and independent courts. There are problems in the
tax and customs services, the ambassador said, noting the need for
simplification in these spheres.
As to changes in the business climate, Ambassador Aves thinks there
is confusion because the World Banks' Doing Business report noted
progress in Armenia, whereas reforms apparently need a continuation
in the spheres which interest foreign investors.
As a more attractive branch of economy for the UK the ambassador
pointed out mining industries. We support Lydian International which
will produce gold in Amulsar. This organization, according to him,
goes for financial openness and sustainable development. Success
of this company's projects could be a good signal for other British
companies, Jonathan Aves said.
Banks and the financial sector are also attractive, he said,
highlighting the activities of HSBC. He noted the distributors of the
UK brands in Armenia, including Next, Debenhams, Marks and Spenser,
as well as willingness to work in the sphere of IT.
Answering the question on protests of environmentalists against
producing ore at Amulsar, the ambassador said he does not have enough
information but as far as he knows, the government is satisfied with
the company.
Answering the question on the choice between the EU and the Eurasian
Union, Ambassador Aves said the UK is for the "both" option, not
"either ... or". He notes that Britain supports the signing of the
DCFTA with the EU but Armenia has good relations with Eurasian states,
notably Russia. It is a choice to be made by Armenia, the ambassador
said, noting that everyone understands that Armenia must maintain its
relations with Russia, although he adds that there are technical and
legal issues which are incompatible. Two customs systems cannot be
connected to each other, the ambassador said.
He noted that it will be an asset for Armenia because the foreign
companies working in Armenia can use the good relations of Armenia and
enlarge their business. Armenia is not an apple of discord between
Russia and the EU, he notes. Armenia has succeeded in developing a
multi-vector policy, which is good.
In answer to the question what the UK, EU and NATO can do to ensure
the security of Armenia, Ambassador Aves said Armenia has already
set up good relations with Russia and Western countries, Armenia is
a CSTO member and has good relations with NATO, as well as bilateral
relations between Armenia and the UK in security.
As to the relations between Armenia and Iran, the ambassador said the
UK is thankful to Yerevan for its stance on international sanctions
against Iran, however, bilateral relations are Armenia's business.
Although, he said, Armenia must be concerned about Iran's nuclear
program no less than the UK because Iran is Armenia's neighbor.
In regard to the Karabakh issue and the Armenian-Turkish relations,
Ambassador Aves said the UK supports the Minsk Group efforts for a
peace settlement. The UK supports normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations and calls for ratification of protocols pending since 2009.
In answer to the question what difficult decisions facing Armenia were
made in the congratulatory note of Prime Minister Cameron on Serzh
Sargsyan's reelection were meant, Ambassador Aves said his country is
thankful to Armenia for freezing the Armenian-Turkish protocols. We
understand than the Armenian side had to make compromises, and it
was a difficult decision. Now the protocols need to be promoted.
The second difficult decision must be related to compromise regarding
the Karabakh settlement. Both sides must make concessions. Besides,
economic reforms need to be carried out in regard to which complicated
decisions must be made because someone may lose something and will
resist, the ambassador said.
Hakob Badalyan 12:27 08/05/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/interview/view/29827
In an exclusive interview with Lragir.am the ambassador of the UK to
Armenia John Aves explained the growing interest of the UK officials
in Armenia by dynamics of relations between Armenia and the EU. The UK
supports enlargement of the EU and Eastern Partnership. We are pleased
to see progress towards the signing of the Association Agreement with
the EU, the ambassador said.
As a second reason, he notes that the new UK government, unlike the
former government which focused on general issues, supports development
of bilateral relations. The main component of bilateral relations is
trade relations, he said.
Ambassador Aves said in November of last year British entrepreneurs
visited Armenia but there are no commitments yet. Ten days later
another group interested in Armenia will arrive.
The UK succeeds in trade relations with those countries with which
it has historical relations but now the country is trying to enter
markets where traditionally it has not been present. However, the
Armenian government must also work towards making Armenia more
attractive for investors, and the first step should be ensuring
the rule of law and independent courts. There are problems in the
tax and customs services, the ambassador said, noting the need for
simplification in these spheres.
As to changes in the business climate, Ambassador Aves thinks there
is confusion because the World Banks' Doing Business report noted
progress in Armenia, whereas reforms apparently need a continuation
in the spheres which interest foreign investors.
As a more attractive branch of economy for the UK the ambassador
pointed out mining industries. We support Lydian International which
will produce gold in Amulsar. This organization, according to him,
goes for financial openness and sustainable development. Success
of this company's projects could be a good signal for other British
companies, Jonathan Aves said.
Banks and the financial sector are also attractive, he said,
highlighting the activities of HSBC. He noted the distributors of the
UK brands in Armenia, including Next, Debenhams, Marks and Spenser,
as well as willingness to work in the sphere of IT.
Answering the question on protests of environmentalists against
producing ore at Amulsar, the ambassador said he does not have enough
information but as far as he knows, the government is satisfied with
the company.
Answering the question on the choice between the EU and the Eurasian
Union, Ambassador Aves said the UK is for the "both" option, not
"either ... or". He notes that Britain supports the signing of the
DCFTA with the EU but Armenia has good relations with Eurasian states,
notably Russia. It is a choice to be made by Armenia, the ambassador
said, noting that everyone understands that Armenia must maintain its
relations with Russia, although he adds that there are technical and
legal issues which are incompatible. Two customs systems cannot be
connected to each other, the ambassador said.
He noted that it will be an asset for Armenia because the foreign
companies working in Armenia can use the good relations of Armenia and
enlarge their business. Armenia is not an apple of discord between
Russia and the EU, he notes. Armenia has succeeded in developing a
multi-vector policy, which is good.
In answer to the question what the UK, EU and NATO can do to ensure
the security of Armenia, Ambassador Aves said Armenia has already
set up good relations with Russia and Western countries, Armenia is
a CSTO member and has good relations with NATO, as well as bilateral
relations between Armenia and the UK in security.
As to the relations between Armenia and Iran, the ambassador said the
UK is thankful to Yerevan for its stance on international sanctions
against Iran, however, bilateral relations are Armenia's business.
Although, he said, Armenia must be concerned about Iran's nuclear
program no less than the UK because Iran is Armenia's neighbor.
In regard to the Karabakh issue and the Armenian-Turkish relations,
Ambassador Aves said the UK supports the Minsk Group efforts for a
peace settlement. The UK supports normalization of Armenian-Turkish
relations and calls for ratification of protocols pending since 2009.
In answer to the question what difficult decisions facing Armenia were
made in the congratulatory note of Prime Minister Cameron on Serzh
Sargsyan's reelection were meant, Ambassador Aves said his country is
thankful to Armenia for freezing the Armenian-Turkish protocols. We
understand than the Armenian side had to make compromises, and it
was a difficult decision. Now the protocols need to be promoted.
The second difficult decision must be related to compromise regarding
the Karabakh settlement. Both sides must make concessions. Besides,
economic reforms need to be carried out in regard to which complicated
decisions must be made because someone may lose something and will
resist, the ambassador said.
Hakob Badalyan 12:27 08/05/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/interview/view/29827