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ARMENIA PLANS MAJOR POLITICAL DEAL WITH EU: PRIME MINISTER
March 21, 2014 - 13:02 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia plans to ink a major political agreement
with the European Union, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said during
the Radio Liberty Armenian Service broadcast.
As the official noted, "we're working with our European partners
on a new line of cooperation. We're happy that our European friends
understand Armenia's stance and the logic of decision-making."
According to Sargsyan, the new deal will include clauses agreed on
during previous negotiations.
As he also noted, in the capacity of the Customs Union member,
Yerevan will expect cuts in customs duties within 7 years.
"The European Union Advisory Group to Armenia will terminate its
activity in late 2014, with the EU continuing assistance to the
republic in the sectors of close cooperation," As the head of the EU
delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Traian Hristea said in early 2014.
The EU Advisory Group was formed in 2008 to assist Armenia in advancing
the implementation of the European Neighborhood Policy Action Plan.
As Hristea noted at the sitting of the Advisory Group, the work
conducted in Armenia was effective, with progress in a number of
sectors noted.
National Security Council Secretary Artur Baghdasaryan, in turn,
welcomed the ongoing cooperation, with a number of reforms and joint
programs testifying to its success.
Deputy parliament speaker Eduard Sharmazanov further noted the EU
to be among Yerevan's key partners, expressing readiness to continue
democracy-promoting reforms to the benefit of Armenian society.
He further listed political and legal reforms, the visa facilitation
and readmission agreements among achievements of the Armenia-EU
partnership.
According to the Q4 2013 report, the Advisory Group provided
consultations on rule of law, migration, democratic governance,
anti-trafficking, protection of witnesses, introduction of probation
service in Armenia as well as anti-corruption measures.
Also, a concept on organization of visits and creation of an
information center at the National Assembly were accomplished with
the involvement of the Advisory Group.
In 2014, the Group will work to implement further reforms and
strategic programs. Armenia completed technical talks on a 'deep and
comprehensive free-trade agreement' (DCFTA) with the EU in July 2013
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.
During a Sept 3 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin,
Armenian leader Serzh 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.
A draft resolution on Armenia's accession to the Customs Union and
unified economic zone was approved at the Minsk-hosted Supreme Eurasian
Economic Council meeting Dec 24. On Jan 23, Armenian government has
approved the list of measures for joining the Customs Union.
"Armenia implemented almost half of the activities envisaged by the
Customs Union accession roadmap," Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
said earlier.
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/177102/
March 21, 2014 - 13:02 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia plans to ink a major political agreement
with the European Union, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said during
the Radio Liberty Armenian Service broadcast.
As the official noted, "we're working with our European partners
on a new line of cooperation. We're happy that our European friends
understand Armenia's stance and the logic of decision-making."
According to Sargsyan, the new deal will include clauses agreed on
during previous negotiations.
As he also noted, in the capacity of the Customs Union member,
Yerevan will expect cuts in customs duties within 7 years.
"The European Union Advisory Group to Armenia will terminate its
activity in late 2014, with the EU continuing assistance to the
republic in the sectors of close cooperation," As the head of the EU
delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Traian Hristea said in early 2014.
The EU Advisory Group was formed in 2008 to assist Armenia in advancing
the implementation of the European Neighborhood Policy Action Plan.
As Hristea noted at the sitting of the Advisory Group, the work
conducted in Armenia was effective, with progress in a number of
sectors noted.
National Security Council Secretary Artur Baghdasaryan, in turn,
welcomed the ongoing cooperation, with a number of reforms and joint
programs testifying to its success.
Deputy parliament speaker Eduard Sharmazanov further noted the EU
to be among Yerevan's key partners, expressing readiness to continue
democracy-promoting reforms to the benefit of Armenian society.
He further listed political and legal reforms, the visa facilitation
and readmission agreements among achievements of the Armenia-EU
partnership.
According to the Q4 2013 report, the Advisory Group provided
consultations on rule of law, migration, democratic governance,
anti-trafficking, protection of witnesses, introduction of probation
service in Armenia as well as anti-corruption measures.
Also, a concept on organization of visits and creation of an
information center at the National Assembly were accomplished with
the involvement of the Advisory Group.
In 2014, the Group will work to implement further reforms and
strategic programs. Armenia completed technical talks on a 'deep and
comprehensive free-trade agreement' (DCFTA) with the EU in July 2013
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.
During a Sept 3 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin,
Armenian leader Serzh 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.
A draft resolution on Armenia's accession to the Customs Union and
unified economic zone was approved at the Minsk-hosted Supreme Eurasian
Economic Council meeting Dec 24. On Jan 23, Armenian government has
approved the list of measures for joining the Customs Union.
"Armenia implemented almost half of the activities envisaged by the
Customs Union accession roadmap," Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
said earlier.
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/177102/