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STEFAN FULE: AA/DCFTAS NOT CONCEIVED AT RUSSIA'S EXPENSE
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/09/12/stefan-fule-aadcftas-not-conceived-at-russias-expense/
13:45 12.09.2013
"The Customs Union membership is not compatible with the DCFTAs which
we have negotiated with Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Georgia,
and Armenia," Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood
Policy Štefan Fule said, speaking at the plenary sitting of the
European Parliament.
"This is not because of ideological differences; this is not about
a clash of economic blocs, or a zero-sum game. This is due to legal
impossibilities: for instance, you cannot at the same time lower
your customs tariffs as per the DCFTA and increase them as a result
of the Customs Union membership," he said.
"It may certainly be possible for members of the Eastern Partnership
to increase their cooperation with the Customs Union, perhaps as
observers; and participation in a DCFTA is of course fully compatible
with our partners' existing free trade agreements with other
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) states," the Commissioner
added..
"The development of the Eurasian Economic Union project must respect
our partners' sovereign decisions. Any threats from Russia linked
to the possible signing of agreements with the European Union are
unacceptable, Commissioner Fule said, adding that This applies
to all forms of pressure, including: the possible misuse of energy
pricing; artificial trade obstacles such as import bans of dubious WTO
compatibility and cumbersome customs procedures; military cooperation
and security guarantees: and the instrumentalisation of protracted
conflicts.
"AA/DCFTAs are not conceived at Russia's expense. On the contrary,
Russia will also benefit greatly from the integration of the Eastern
Partnership countries into the wider European economy. Our vision
is that these agreements should contribute in the long term to
the eventual creation of a common economic space from Lisbon to
Vladivostok, based on WTO rules."
"So we encourage our partners to deepen their ties with Russia,
as we do ourselves, but in a way which is compatible with AA/DCFTA
obligations. The European Union is ready to work with its neighbours
to find ways to promote greater regulatory convergence between the
EU and members of the Customs Union. The last thing we want to see
is a protectionist wall cutting our continent in two. In today's
ever-more-competitive global economy, we cannot afford to waste our
efforts on a regional geopolitical rivalry," Commissioner Fule stated.
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/09/12/stefan-fule-aadcftas-not-conceived-at-russias-expense/
13:45 12.09.2013
"The Customs Union membership is not compatible with the DCFTAs which
we have negotiated with Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Georgia,
and Armenia," Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood
Policy Štefan Fule said, speaking at the plenary sitting of the
European Parliament.
"This is not because of ideological differences; this is not about
a clash of economic blocs, or a zero-sum game. This is due to legal
impossibilities: for instance, you cannot at the same time lower
your customs tariffs as per the DCFTA and increase them as a result
of the Customs Union membership," he said.
"It may certainly be possible for members of the Eastern Partnership
to increase their cooperation with the Customs Union, perhaps as
observers; and participation in a DCFTA is of course fully compatible
with our partners' existing free trade agreements with other
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) states," the Commissioner
added..
"The development of the Eurasian Economic Union project must respect
our partners' sovereign decisions. Any threats from Russia linked
to the possible signing of agreements with the European Union are
unacceptable, Commissioner Fule said, adding that This applies
to all forms of pressure, including: the possible misuse of energy
pricing; artificial trade obstacles such as import bans of dubious WTO
compatibility and cumbersome customs procedures; military cooperation
and security guarantees: and the instrumentalisation of protracted
conflicts.
"AA/DCFTAs are not conceived at Russia's expense. On the contrary,
Russia will also benefit greatly from the integration of the Eastern
Partnership countries into the wider European economy. Our vision
is that these agreements should contribute in the long term to
the eventual creation of a common economic space from Lisbon to
Vladivostok, based on WTO rules."
"So we encourage our partners to deepen their ties with Russia,
as we do ourselves, but in a way which is compatible with AA/DCFTA
obligations. The European Union is ready to work with its neighbours
to find ways to promote greater regulatory convergence between the
EU and members of the Customs Union. The last thing we want to see
is a protectionist wall cutting our continent in two. In today's
ever-more-competitive global economy, we cannot afford to waste our
efforts on a regional geopolitical rivalry," Commissioner Fule stated.