168 ZHAM: EU GIVES ARMENIA LAST CHANCE?
October 31, 2013
YEREVAN. - The European assessments, with respect toArmenia's future
relations with the European Union (EU), have somewhat changed, 168
Zham daily reports.
"Now, there are more views thatArmenia's European future is not
completely lost, and that Europe itself must fight for Armenia so
that the Association and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area
agreements continue to remain on the agenda of EU-Armenia relations.
"The Europeans' message is very clear: if Armenia is able to
withdraw its [Russia-led] Customs Union accession decision prior to
the Eastern Partnership summit to be convened in [Lithuanian capital
city] Vilnius at the end of November, they [i.e., the Europeans]
are ready to initial the Association and the Deep and Comprehensive
Free Trade Area agreements.
"At first glance, Armenia's reconsidering its decision to join the
Customs Union and [subsequently] initialing the EU seems unrealistic.
But this is unrealistic as much as the prospect of accession to the
Customs Union before September 3.
"The Europeans likewise are well aware of this and, in fact, they are
giving the Armenian authorities the last chance to reconsider the
decision, which they made under the pressure by the Russian side,"
168 Zham writes.
To note, following the talks that were held on September 3 in
Moscow between Armenian and Russian Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and
Vladimir Putin, Sargsyan had announced that Armenia plans to join
the Customs Union and subsequently engage in the formation of the
Eurasian Economic Union. Aside from Russia, Belarusand Kazakhstan
likewise are members in the Customs Union. And in response to this
development, the European Union had stated that the signing of the
Armenia-EU Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free
Trade Area agreement is now doubtful.
News from Armenia - NEWS.am
October 31, 2013
YEREVAN. - The European assessments, with respect toArmenia's future
relations with the European Union (EU), have somewhat changed, 168
Zham daily reports.
"Now, there are more views thatArmenia's European future is not
completely lost, and that Europe itself must fight for Armenia so
that the Association and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area
agreements continue to remain on the agenda of EU-Armenia relations.
"The Europeans' message is very clear: if Armenia is able to
withdraw its [Russia-led] Customs Union accession decision prior to
the Eastern Partnership summit to be convened in [Lithuanian capital
city] Vilnius at the end of November, they [i.e., the Europeans]
are ready to initial the Association and the Deep and Comprehensive
Free Trade Area agreements.
"At first glance, Armenia's reconsidering its decision to join the
Customs Union and [subsequently] initialing the EU seems unrealistic.
But this is unrealistic as much as the prospect of accession to the
Customs Union before September 3.
"The Europeans likewise are well aware of this and, in fact, they are
giving the Armenian authorities the last chance to reconsider the
decision, which they made under the pressure by the Russian side,"
168 Zham writes.
To note, following the talks that were held on September 3 in
Moscow between Armenian and Russian Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and
Vladimir Putin, Sargsyan had announced that Armenia plans to join
the Customs Union and subsequently engage in the formation of the
Eurasian Economic Union. Aside from Russia, Belarusand Kazakhstan
likewise are members in the Customs Union. And in response to this
development, the European Union had stated that the signing of the
Armenia-EU Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free
Trade Area agreement is now doubtful.
News from Armenia - NEWS.am