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EDGARS RINKEVICS: IT IS IMPORTANT TO REVISE THE BASIS OF THE EU-ARMENIA TIES
February 4, 2015 09:25
exclusive
Mediamax's exclusive interview with the Latvian Foreign Minister
Edgars Rinkevics
- The Armenian leadership states that joining the Eurasian Economic
Union (EEU) doesn't contradict to Armenia's dialogue with the EU. Do
you really think that EU and Armenia can continue "business as usual"
after Armenia's EEU membership?
- After Armenia's decision not to sign the Association Agreement with
the EU, the European Union and Armenia reconfirmed their commitment
to further develop and strengthen comprehensive cooperation in all
areas of mutual interest within the Eastern Partnership framework. The
European Union will continue cooperation with Armenia in all areas
compatible with Armenia's choice. At the same time we expect Armenia
will continue with reform efforts.
- During the Armenia- European Union Cooperation Council session
in Brussels on January 20 one of the main topics was question of
future legal basis of relations between EU and Armenia. It means a
completely new legal framework or the existing format will be enriched
with new chapters?
- EU relations with Armenia are governed by the EU-Armenia Partnership
and Cooperation Agreement (1999), which allows for wide-ranging
cooperation in the areas of political dialogue, trade, investment,
economy, lawmaking and culture. However, the EU and Armenia believes
it is important to revise the basis of the EU-Armenia relationship.
The consultations about the scope of a new legal framework are
currently ongoing.
- After decision to join the EEU, Armenian leaders were saying there
are ready to sign the "political part" of the Association Agreement.
EU explained that DCFTA is an integral part of the Agreement and
the document can't be divided. Can we say that Armenia and EU are
negotiating something very similar to the "political part" of the
former Association Agreement?
- The negotiations about new legal framework have not been formally
launched. In order to start to the negotiations the so called
"scoping exercise" should be completed and the new EU mandate should
be approved. We support the start of negotiations on the new legal
framework by the Riga Summit.
- During your news conference in Yerevan in December 2014 you said that
the Riga Summit will focus on development of "individual relations"
with each Eastern partner. How do you see this "individual approach"
for Armenia?
- The development of the EU Eastern Partnership initiative is an
important priority of the Latvian presidency. The Riga Summit should
send a signal that the European Union has clear interests in the
strengthening and continuation of the Eastern Partnership. The Riga
Summit will also take stock of the fulfilment of objectives set by the
Vilnius Summit and provide a preliminary assessment of implementation
of the Association Agreements.
Edgars Rinkevics and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow,
January 12, 2015 Photo: REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin
The process of visa liberalisation with the Eastern Partnership
countries which comply with the criteria should be taken forward. The
EU, while pursuing the Eastern Partnership policy, should be looking
at the individual interest of each EaP country and their readiness
to cooperate with the EU.
- During past years Armenia and EU have been discussing issue of
organizing Donors' Conference for Armenia. Can we say that this idea
is excluded from the agenda?
- The EU is ready to continue to assist Armenia's efforts to carry
on the launched political, social and economic reforms. For 2014-2017
this will amount to between 140 and 170 million EUR, focused on private
sector development, public administration and justice sector reform.
- Armenian government on many occasions reaffirmed readiness to start
visa free regime negotiations with EU. When will it be possible to
start these negotiations?
- Latvia welcomes the entry into force of the EU-Armenia Visa
Facilitation and Readmission Agreements. We have always encouraged
the Armenian Government to continue the effective implementation of
these Agreements. It is one of the crucial conditions to start a visa
free regime negotiations with the EU. I would not currently set any
dates or deadlines.
- People-to-people contacts are one of the key elements and principles
of cooperation in the framework of Eastern Partnership. How do you
imagine further dialogue between civil societies of Armenia and
Azerbaijan after recent abuses and crackdowns against civil society
in Azerbaijan?
- We believe people-to-people contacts are one of the most important
elements of the Eastern Partnership. Latvia supports people-to-people
contacts between Armenia and Azerbaijan which is important for building
the trust.
The respect of fundamental values such as democracy, the rule of
law, human rights and good governance is one of the key issues in
the EU dialogue with Eastern Partnership countries. These issues are
constantly being raised during the meetings with the officials from
Eastern Partnership countries. The European Union will continue to
follow the developments in these areas.
- Please tell if the South Caucasus with its unresolved conflicts
will be among the priorities of Latvian Presidency's of the Council
of the EU? If yes, what real steps EU can do besides stating that it
"fully supports" the OSCE Minsk Group efforts?
- We, as the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, support
the negotiations mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs aimed
at settling the conflict. We believe it crucial to maintain direct
high-level contacts between Armenia and Azerbaijan in a conflict
settlement process. Efforts to reach the conflict settlement should
be continued and Latvia supports them.
Latvia is convinced that Nagorno Karabakh conflict should be resolved
only by using peaceful means taking into an account the basic
principles of international law. The sides should show restraint and
avoid any actions or statements which could escalate the situation.
Ekaterina Poghosyan talked to Edgars Rinkevics
- See more at:
http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/interviews/13065/#sthash.lze1W4Wc.dpuf
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
February 4, 2015 09:25
exclusive
Mediamax's exclusive interview with the Latvian Foreign Minister
Edgars Rinkevics
- The Armenian leadership states that joining the Eurasian Economic
Union (EEU) doesn't contradict to Armenia's dialogue with the EU. Do
you really think that EU and Armenia can continue "business as usual"
after Armenia's EEU membership?
- After Armenia's decision not to sign the Association Agreement with
the EU, the European Union and Armenia reconfirmed their commitment
to further develop and strengthen comprehensive cooperation in all
areas of mutual interest within the Eastern Partnership framework. The
European Union will continue cooperation with Armenia in all areas
compatible with Armenia's choice. At the same time we expect Armenia
will continue with reform efforts.
- During the Armenia- European Union Cooperation Council session
in Brussels on January 20 one of the main topics was question of
future legal basis of relations between EU and Armenia. It means a
completely new legal framework or the existing format will be enriched
with new chapters?
- EU relations with Armenia are governed by the EU-Armenia Partnership
and Cooperation Agreement (1999), which allows for wide-ranging
cooperation in the areas of political dialogue, trade, investment,
economy, lawmaking and culture. However, the EU and Armenia believes
it is important to revise the basis of the EU-Armenia relationship.
The consultations about the scope of a new legal framework are
currently ongoing.
- After decision to join the EEU, Armenian leaders were saying there
are ready to sign the "political part" of the Association Agreement.
EU explained that DCFTA is an integral part of the Agreement and
the document can't be divided. Can we say that Armenia and EU are
negotiating something very similar to the "political part" of the
former Association Agreement?
- The negotiations about new legal framework have not been formally
launched. In order to start to the negotiations the so called
"scoping exercise" should be completed and the new EU mandate should
be approved. We support the start of negotiations on the new legal
framework by the Riga Summit.
- During your news conference in Yerevan in December 2014 you said that
the Riga Summit will focus on development of "individual relations"
with each Eastern partner. How do you see this "individual approach"
for Armenia?
- The development of the EU Eastern Partnership initiative is an
important priority of the Latvian presidency. The Riga Summit should
send a signal that the European Union has clear interests in the
strengthening and continuation of the Eastern Partnership. The Riga
Summit will also take stock of the fulfilment of objectives set by the
Vilnius Summit and provide a preliminary assessment of implementation
of the Association Agreements.
Edgars Rinkevics and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow,
January 12, 2015 Photo: REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin
The process of visa liberalisation with the Eastern Partnership
countries which comply with the criteria should be taken forward. The
EU, while pursuing the Eastern Partnership policy, should be looking
at the individual interest of each EaP country and their readiness
to cooperate with the EU.
- During past years Armenia and EU have been discussing issue of
organizing Donors' Conference for Armenia. Can we say that this idea
is excluded from the agenda?
- The EU is ready to continue to assist Armenia's efforts to carry
on the launched political, social and economic reforms. For 2014-2017
this will amount to between 140 and 170 million EUR, focused on private
sector development, public administration and justice sector reform.
- Armenian government on many occasions reaffirmed readiness to start
visa free regime negotiations with EU. When will it be possible to
start these negotiations?
- Latvia welcomes the entry into force of the EU-Armenia Visa
Facilitation and Readmission Agreements. We have always encouraged
the Armenian Government to continue the effective implementation of
these Agreements. It is one of the crucial conditions to start a visa
free regime negotiations with the EU. I would not currently set any
dates or deadlines.
- People-to-people contacts are one of the key elements and principles
of cooperation in the framework of Eastern Partnership. How do you
imagine further dialogue between civil societies of Armenia and
Azerbaijan after recent abuses and crackdowns against civil society
in Azerbaijan?
- We believe people-to-people contacts are one of the most important
elements of the Eastern Partnership. Latvia supports people-to-people
contacts between Armenia and Azerbaijan which is important for building
the trust.
The respect of fundamental values such as democracy, the rule of
law, human rights and good governance is one of the key issues in
the EU dialogue with Eastern Partnership countries. These issues are
constantly being raised during the meetings with the officials from
Eastern Partnership countries. The European Union will continue to
follow the developments in these areas.
- Please tell if the South Caucasus with its unresolved conflicts
will be among the priorities of Latvian Presidency's of the Council
of the EU? If yes, what real steps EU can do besides stating that it
"fully supports" the OSCE Minsk Group efforts?
- We, as the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, support
the negotiations mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs aimed
at settling the conflict. We believe it crucial to maintain direct
high-level contacts between Armenia and Azerbaijan in a conflict
settlement process. Efforts to reach the conflict settlement should
be continued and Latvia supports them.
Latvia is convinced that Nagorno Karabakh conflict should be resolved
only by using peaceful means taking into an account the basic
principles of international law. The sides should show restraint and
avoid any actions or statements which could escalate the situation.
Ekaterina Poghosyan talked to Edgars Rinkevics
- See more at:
http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/interviews/13065/#sthash.lze1W4Wc.dpuf
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress