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RUSSIAN PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER: MULTIPLE INACCURACIES IN ARMENIA-EU DEAL TEXT
October 10, 2013 - 16:29 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian text of the association agreement with
the EU contained a number of inaccuracies, the Russian presidential
adviser said.
According to Sergey Glazyev, the agreement envisaged for Armenia to
fulfill "directions in the sectors of sea fishery and frontier trade
with the EU," although the country has no outlet to the sea of a border
with the EU. "The document is full of similar inaccuracies, which means
those responsible for negotiations never even read the text," he said.
"Were Armenia to sign the paper, the country would lose its sovereignty
in the same sectors as Ukraine, actually becoming deprived of a chance
to participate in Eurasian integration process or become involved in
the structures of preferential economic interaction," Komsomolskaya
Pravda daily quoted him as saying.
Armenia completed technical talks on a 'deep and comprehensive
free-trade agreement' (DCFTA) with the EU in July and it was set
to be signed at a summit with the EU in late November. In addition
to a free-trade deal, Armenia has been working towards the signing
of an association agreement with the EU, a framework agreement on
co-operation that is seen as a first step towards political integration
with the EU.
However, during a Sept 3 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin,
Armenian leader Sargsyan said Armenia is ready to join Customs Union,
with further plans to be involved in formation of the Eurasian Economic
Union. Mr. Putin supported the initiative, vowing procedural assistance
to Armenia.
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt described Armenia's intention as
a U-turn in relations with the European Union. "Seems as if Armenia
will break talks on free trade agreement with EU and integrate with
Russia instead," he said.
Linas Linkevicius, the Foreign Minister of Lithuania, which holds
the rotating EU presidency, said Armenia "has blocked its chances of
signing a free trade deal with the European Union by choosing to join
the Russia-led union." "We respect any choice of countries but they
cannot enter both organizations at the same time because of different
tariff requirements," he said.
However, Armenian leadership continues expression intention to expand
ties with the EU, which won't contradict Armenia's CU membership.
"Armenia will take part in the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit
in Vilnius and is ready to sign the Association Agreement," President
Serzh Sargsyan said at the October 2 PACE session.
"No Armenia-EU document is being readied to be signed at a Vilnius
summit," the spokesperson of the EU Commissioner Stefan Fule said.
"We're trying to find routes for further cooperation with Armenia,
based on the existing achievements," Peter Stano said.
From: A. Papazian
October 10, 2013 - 16:29 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian text of the association agreement with
the EU contained a number of inaccuracies, the Russian presidential
adviser said.
According to Sergey Glazyev, the agreement envisaged for Armenia to
fulfill "directions in the sectors of sea fishery and frontier trade
with the EU," although the country has no outlet to the sea of a border
with the EU. "The document is full of similar inaccuracies, which means
those responsible for negotiations never even read the text," he said.
"Were Armenia to sign the paper, the country would lose its sovereignty
in the same sectors as Ukraine, actually becoming deprived of a chance
to participate in Eurasian integration process or become involved in
the structures of preferential economic interaction," Komsomolskaya
Pravda daily quoted him as saying.
Armenia completed technical talks on a 'deep and comprehensive
free-trade agreement' (DCFTA) with the EU in July and it was set
to be signed at a summit with the EU in late November. In addition
to a free-trade deal, Armenia has been working towards the signing
of an association agreement with the EU, a framework agreement on
co-operation that is seen as a first step towards political integration
with the EU.
However, during a Sept 3 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin,
Armenian leader Sargsyan said Armenia is ready to join Customs Union,
with further plans to be involved in formation of the Eurasian Economic
Union. Mr. Putin supported the initiative, vowing procedural assistance
to Armenia.
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt described Armenia's intention as
a U-turn in relations with the European Union. "Seems as if Armenia
will break talks on free trade agreement with EU and integrate with
Russia instead," he said.
Linas Linkevicius, the Foreign Minister of Lithuania, which holds
the rotating EU presidency, said Armenia "has blocked its chances of
signing a free trade deal with the European Union by choosing to join
the Russia-led union." "We respect any choice of countries but they
cannot enter both organizations at the same time because of different
tariff requirements," he said.
However, Armenian leadership continues expression intention to expand
ties with the EU, which won't contradict Armenia's CU membership.
"Armenia will take part in the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit
in Vilnius and is ready to sign the Association Agreement," President
Serzh Sargsyan said at the October 2 PACE session.
"No Armenia-EU document is being readied to be signed at a Vilnius
summit," the spokesperson of the EU Commissioner Stefan Fule said.
"We're trying to find routes for further cooperation with Armenia,
based on the existing achievements," Peter Stano said.
From: A. Papazian