Tweet
GUL ASKS KAZAKH LEADER TO HELP TURKEY JOIN CUSTOMS UNION?
October 24, 2013 - 19:15 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev
has introduced two proposals at the current meeting of the Supreme
Eurasian Economic Council in Minsk, Vestnik Kavkaza reported.
Nazarbayev has made a statement in which he proposed to dissolve the
Eurasian Economic Union and extend the Customs Union by accepting
Turkey as its member.
He added that Turkish President Abdullah Gul had spoken to him with
a request to join the Customs Union.
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.
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/171740/
From: A. Papazian
October 24, 2013 - 19:15 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev
has introduced two proposals at the current meeting of the Supreme
Eurasian Economic Council in Minsk, Vestnik Kavkaza reported.
Nazarbayev has made a statement in which he proposed to dissolve the
Eurasian Economic Union and extend the Customs Union by accepting
Turkey as its member.
He added that Turkish President Abdullah Gul had spoken to him with
a request to join the Customs Union.
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.
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/171740/
From: A. Papazian