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EU-Armenia visa facilitation agreement not merely pro forma document
11:48 - 13.10.13
The EU-Armenia visa facilitation agreement and the readmission
agreement backed by the European Parliament cannot be merely pro forma
document, Karen Bekaryan, Chairman of the European Integration NGO,
told Tert.am in response to a question as to whether the documents
will remain ineffective as approved in the context of the EU-Armenian
Association Agreement, which, in turn, will not be initialed.
`In the context of the EU political culture, we should not mix
political culture with that of many of our partners. But the document
cannot be a merely pro forma one,' Bekaryan said.
Summing up, he said that any uncertainties about the EU Association
Agreement at the moment do not imply any risk to the entire visa
facilitation process.
At their meeting in Brussels, on October 8, Armenian FM Edward
Nalbandian and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine
Ashton addressed the preparatory work for the Eastern Partnership
Summit to be held in Vilnius, Lithuania, this November.
As to what the `preparatory work' means and what documents may be
signed at, as well as after, the Summit, Bekaryan reverted to the
side's positions before that moment.
`It had repeatedly been stated that, if the Deep and Comprehensive
Free Trade Area Agreement was in question, the Armenian and Russian
presidents' join statements were followed by certain problems. Armenia
had repeatedly stated that, without having any problems with the other
aspects of the Association Agreement, it was willing to initial it.
The EU's position remains uncertain.
European officials have repeatedly stated that the two are inseparable
aspects. On the other hand, they are well aware of the fact that the
way passed over the years cannot be ignored. So there is a need to
find common ground,' Bekaryan said.
The expert is sure the process will be continued and a new format will
be found. The question is whether it will be possible before the
Vilnius Summit.
Elaborating on the Armenia-related format, Bekaryan said that Armenia
must be present irrespective of whether any documents will or will not
be signed or initialed.
`That is, the EU member-states are consulting one another and Armenia.
This process is progressing now and we have to wait to see our
starting point at the Vilnius Summit.'
In his turn, ex-chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) Bagrat
Asatryan is pessimistic about Armenia's participation in the Vilnius
Summit. `They offer you a program, which you have rejected.'
He believes that Armenia is sure to establish `cooperation of some
type' with Europe.
Armenian News - Tert.am
11:48 - 13.10.13
The EU-Armenia visa facilitation agreement and the readmission
agreement backed by the European Parliament cannot be merely pro forma
document, Karen Bekaryan, Chairman of the European Integration NGO,
told Tert.am in response to a question as to whether the documents
will remain ineffective as approved in the context of the EU-Armenian
Association Agreement, which, in turn, will not be initialed.
`In the context of the EU political culture, we should not mix
political culture with that of many of our partners. But the document
cannot be a merely pro forma one,' Bekaryan said.
Summing up, he said that any uncertainties about the EU Association
Agreement at the moment do not imply any risk to the entire visa
facilitation process.
At their meeting in Brussels, on October 8, Armenian FM Edward
Nalbandian and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine
Ashton addressed the preparatory work for the Eastern Partnership
Summit to be held in Vilnius, Lithuania, this November.
As to what the `preparatory work' means and what documents may be
signed at, as well as after, the Summit, Bekaryan reverted to the
side's positions before that moment.
`It had repeatedly been stated that, if the Deep and Comprehensive
Free Trade Area Agreement was in question, the Armenian and Russian
presidents' join statements were followed by certain problems. Armenia
had repeatedly stated that, without having any problems with the other
aspects of the Association Agreement, it was willing to initial it.
The EU's position remains uncertain.
European officials have repeatedly stated that the two are inseparable
aspects. On the other hand, they are well aware of the fact that the
way passed over the years cannot be ignored. So there is a need to
find common ground,' Bekaryan said.
The expert is sure the process will be continued and a new format will
be found. The question is whether it will be possible before the
Vilnius Summit.
Elaborating on the Armenia-related format, Bekaryan said that Armenia
must be present irrespective of whether any documents will or will not
be signed or initialed.
`That is, the EU member-states are consulting one another and Armenia.
This process is progressing now and we have to wait to see our
starting point at the Vilnius Summit.'
In his turn, ex-chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) Bagrat
Asatryan is pessimistic about Armenia's participation in the Vilnius
Summit. `They offer you a program, which you have rejected.'
He believes that Armenia is sure to establish `cooperation of some
type' with Europe.
Armenian News - Tert.am