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ARMENIA COMMITTED TO INITIALING ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT WITH EU - VIGEN SARGSYAN
[ Part 2.2: "Attached Text" ]
18:41 04.09.13
[g_image.php?id=348056&tmb=3]
Despite Armenia's decision to join the Customs Union, Chief of the
Armenian Presidential Staff Vigen Sargsyan has re-affirmed Armenia's
commitment to the initialing of an association agreement with the
European Union at the Eastern Partnership Summit to be held in Vilnius,
Estonia, this November.
In an interview with RFE/RL, Mr Sargsyan noted that the decision
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan announced following his meeting with
his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin did not at all mean refusal
from an association agreement with the EU.
"At his joint press conference with the Russian president, the
president [of Armenia] re-stated that the political reforms we were
implementing with our European partners' support were of paramount
importance for Armenia. We are deeply committed to continuing the
reforms and reaching the political goals envisaged by our cooperation
with the European Union," Mr Sargsyan said.
As regards the opinion that membership in the Customs Union may prove
to be an obstacle to the creation of a deep and comprehensive free
trade area, he said:
"Armenia's position is well known. We have always tried to combine
the commitments and cooperate with both partners. If we are told it is
impossible, we remain committed to the most important component of our
dialogue with European structures. In our opinion, it is a political
dialogue and promotion of reforms in the country to modernize social
and political culture and create stable government institutions. With
this end in view, we will do our best to be prepared to initial the
association agreement at the Vilnius Summit."
Mr Sargsyan refuted the claims that Armenia's decision to join the
Customs Union was made under pressure.
"Armenia has no partners that would talk to it by means of pressure,
blackmail or ultimatums," he said.
Armenia expressed its interest in the Customs Union as soon as the
process got under way. Armenia pointed out the absence of a common
border with the Customs Union. A number of expert meetings were held,
and experts drafted solutions to ensure Armenia's efficient membership
in the Customs Union, even with common borders lacking.
So the decision was made in Armenia's interests, with the country's
economic pattern and economic development prospects considered. The
goal of Armenia's dialogue with the EU has always been modernizing
the government system and promoting democratic reforms.
"We remain committed to the goals and we want to continue a full-scale
dialogue," Mr Sargsyan said.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/09/04/vigen-sargsyan/
[ Part 2.2: "Attached Text" ]
18:41 04.09.13
[g_image.php?id=348056&tmb=3]
Despite Armenia's decision to join the Customs Union, Chief of the
Armenian Presidential Staff Vigen Sargsyan has re-affirmed Armenia's
commitment to the initialing of an association agreement with the
European Union at the Eastern Partnership Summit to be held in Vilnius,
Estonia, this November.
In an interview with RFE/RL, Mr Sargsyan noted that the decision
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan announced following his meeting with
his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin did not at all mean refusal
from an association agreement with the EU.
"At his joint press conference with the Russian president, the
president [of Armenia] re-stated that the political reforms we were
implementing with our European partners' support were of paramount
importance for Armenia. We are deeply committed to continuing the
reforms and reaching the political goals envisaged by our cooperation
with the European Union," Mr Sargsyan said.
As regards the opinion that membership in the Customs Union may prove
to be an obstacle to the creation of a deep and comprehensive free
trade area, he said:
"Armenia's position is well known. We have always tried to combine
the commitments and cooperate with both partners. If we are told it is
impossible, we remain committed to the most important component of our
dialogue with European structures. In our opinion, it is a political
dialogue and promotion of reforms in the country to modernize social
and political culture and create stable government institutions. With
this end in view, we will do our best to be prepared to initial the
association agreement at the Vilnius Summit."
Mr Sargsyan refuted the claims that Armenia's decision to join the
Customs Union was made under pressure.
"Armenia has no partners that would talk to it by means of pressure,
blackmail or ultimatums," he said.
Armenia expressed its interest in the Customs Union as soon as the
process got under way. Armenia pointed out the absence of a common
border with the Customs Union. A number of expert meetings were held,
and experts drafted solutions to ensure Armenia's efficient membership
in the Customs Union, even with common borders lacking.
So the decision was made in Armenia's interests, with the country's
economic pattern and economic development prospects considered. The
goal of Armenia's dialogue with the EU has always been modernizing
the government system and promoting democratic reforms.
"We remain committed to the goals and we want to continue a full-scale
dialogue," Mr Sargsyan said.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2013/09/04/vigen-sargsyan/