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KATHY LEACH ON ARMENIA'S EEU AND EU TIES
Tuesday 25 November 2014 09:59
Photo: Photolure
UK Ambassador to Armenia Katherine Leach
Within "Ambassadorial Lecture Series", UK Ambassador to Armenia
Katherine Leach had a meeting with the students of the American
University of Armenia (AUA) on November 24.
Katherine Leach recounted about EU, spoke about Armenia-EU relations
and cooperation carried on within Eastern Partnership, touched upon
the crisis in Ukraine and the referendum in Scotland, etc.
Upon the students' request, the Ambassador also touched upon the
escalation of tension in NK conflict zone and the downing of Artsakh
helicopter by Azerbaijan.
Mediamax presents excerpts from the Ambassador's speech.
Armenia-EU ties
Negotiations launched over Association Agreement with Armenia, Georgia,
Ukraine and Moldova were long-lasting and quite painstaking.
>From the very beginning EU wanted Armenia to realize it and to act
committed to it. I believe it's exactly why Armenia's September 3,
2014, decision by which Armenia stated its desire to join the Eurasian
Economic Union was a surprise for many. But it's Armenia's choice and
our present task is to find out ways to go beyond it and to move ahead.
The letters exchanged between Armenian and EU representatives
in Vilnius in November 2014 showed that the parties are eager to
persist with cooperation in human rights protection, justice reforms
and other sectors. Negotiations over these issues are underway. But
most importantly, Armenia should not "get oblivious" of EU's being
a large and complicated organization, which on the one hand settles
issues within itself - among its member states, and on the other hand,
attempts to set a broader agenda of economic integration with various
countries around the world. Thus, the best a country can do when
developing ties with the EU is to have a clear vision of what they
want and to formulate what they expect from it. Even if the agenda
of those "wishes" is not large, it has to be clear.
The passing year was quite hard for Armenia. The country was involved
in negotiations over EEU membership and therefore it was hard for
it to present its EU expectations. Armenia will complete its EEU
membership process in 2015, and I hope that following it we will be
able to specify our tasks and cooperation areas. We feel Armenia's
eagerness and will to continue cooperation with the EU and are ready
to support it.
Armenia's EEU membership decision
Armenia's EEU membership decision was no longer a surprise for us. We
understand that Armenia is a vulnerable state with limited capacities.
Relations with Russia are of strategic importance for Armenia and
security-related issues are a determining factor. The incidents that
occurred over the passing year made Armenia's decision clearer for us.
Azerbaijan's downing of the helicopter
The United Kingdom joined the calls of the international community
and backed the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. We supported
the parties to come to terms on the return of the bodies of the pilots
through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC).
We understand that Karabakh Forces have conducted special operation,
and presently the bodies of the crew members have been returned to
their families.
UK's economic interests in Azerbaijan
British Petroleum is one of the largest investors in Azerbaijan and in
this regard, we often wonder about UK's role in this region. I tend to
give the same answer - pursuing economic interests in Azerbaijan we do
realize the importance of the peaceful settlement of NK conflict. We
know what disastrous consequences the resumption of military actions
might have in terms of local residents, economy and investments. It's
not beneficial for anyone. It is for this reason that we voice our
concerns and back the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. To
this end, British Minister for Europe David Lidington paid a visit to
Armenia and during his meetings in both Yerevan and Azerbaijan said
that the peoples of the two countries should be prepared for peace
and not war.
Yekaterina Poghosyan
http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/foreignpolicy/12388/
Tuesday 25 November 2014 09:59
Photo: Photolure
UK Ambassador to Armenia Katherine Leach
Within "Ambassadorial Lecture Series", UK Ambassador to Armenia
Katherine Leach had a meeting with the students of the American
University of Armenia (AUA) on November 24.
Katherine Leach recounted about EU, spoke about Armenia-EU relations
and cooperation carried on within Eastern Partnership, touched upon
the crisis in Ukraine and the referendum in Scotland, etc.
Upon the students' request, the Ambassador also touched upon the
escalation of tension in NK conflict zone and the downing of Artsakh
helicopter by Azerbaijan.
Mediamax presents excerpts from the Ambassador's speech.
Armenia-EU ties
Negotiations launched over Association Agreement with Armenia, Georgia,
Ukraine and Moldova were long-lasting and quite painstaking.
>From the very beginning EU wanted Armenia to realize it and to act
committed to it. I believe it's exactly why Armenia's September 3,
2014, decision by which Armenia stated its desire to join the Eurasian
Economic Union was a surprise for many. But it's Armenia's choice and
our present task is to find out ways to go beyond it and to move ahead.
The letters exchanged between Armenian and EU representatives
in Vilnius in November 2014 showed that the parties are eager to
persist with cooperation in human rights protection, justice reforms
and other sectors. Negotiations over these issues are underway. But
most importantly, Armenia should not "get oblivious" of EU's being
a large and complicated organization, which on the one hand settles
issues within itself - among its member states, and on the other hand,
attempts to set a broader agenda of economic integration with various
countries around the world. Thus, the best a country can do when
developing ties with the EU is to have a clear vision of what they
want and to formulate what they expect from it. Even if the agenda
of those "wishes" is not large, it has to be clear.
The passing year was quite hard for Armenia. The country was involved
in negotiations over EEU membership and therefore it was hard for
it to present its EU expectations. Armenia will complete its EEU
membership process in 2015, and I hope that following it we will be
able to specify our tasks and cooperation areas. We feel Armenia's
eagerness and will to continue cooperation with the EU and are ready
to support it.
Armenia's EEU membership decision
Armenia's EEU membership decision was no longer a surprise for us. We
understand that Armenia is a vulnerable state with limited capacities.
Relations with Russia are of strategic importance for Armenia and
security-related issues are a determining factor. The incidents that
occurred over the passing year made Armenia's decision clearer for us.
Azerbaijan's downing of the helicopter
The United Kingdom joined the calls of the international community
and backed the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. We supported
the parties to come to terms on the return of the bodies of the pilots
through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC).
We understand that Karabakh Forces have conducted special operation,
and presently the bodies of the crew members have been returned to
their families.
UK's economic interests in Azerbaijan
British Petroleum is one of the largest investors in Azerbaijan and in
this regard, we often wonder about UK's role in this region. I tend to
give the same answer - pursuing economic interests in Azerbaijan we do
realize the importance of the peaceful settlement of NK conflict. We
know what disastrous consequences the resumption of military actions
might have in terms of local residents, economy and investments. It's
not beneficial for anyone. It is for this reason that we voice our
concerns and back the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. To
this end, British Minister for Europe David Lidington paid a visit to
Armenia and during his meetings in both Yerevan and Azerbaijan said
that the peoples of the two countries should be prepared for peace
and not war.
Yekaterina Poghosyan
http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/foreignpolicy/12388/