Russia acted as "third party" in Armenia-EU relations, Barroso states
January 28, 2015 10:31
Serzh Sargsyan and Jose Manuel Barroso
Photo: REUTERS
Yerevan/Mediamax/. Former European Commission President Jose Manuel
Barroso believes that Armenia's decision to refuse to sign the EU
Association Agreement was affected by Russia.
Barroso stated it in an interview with "Ukrayinska Pravda" (Ukrainian
Truth) Newspaper, Mediamax reports.
An excerpt from the interview:
- What plan did the EU have for Ukraine after the Vilnius Summit? Did
you already accept that the "loss" of Ukraine?
- No, I don't agree with that. I respect countries and their choice.
It was clear at the Vilnius Summit that Ukraine is not ready to sign
the agreement. And we did not aim to compel them to do it.
We were running counter to Russian propaganda which, was claiming that
this entire situation is a plot against Russia to make Ukraine part of
the European Union. However, we didn't pursue any such aim.
For example, Armenia told us they are not ready to sign the
Association Agreement. In all likelihood, Russia acted as a third
party in their decision. But we respected their [Armenia's] choice.
However, things were different with Ukraine - there was already public
response to the failure to sign this agreement - Maidan.
http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/foreignpolicy/12995#sthash.sKdoQxNs.dpuf
From: Baghdasarian
January 28, 2015 10:31
Serzh Sargsyan and Jose Manuel Barroso
Photo: REUTERS
Yerevan/Mediamax/. Former European Commission President Jose Manuel
Barroso believes that Armenia's decision to refuse to sign the EU
Association Agreement was affected by Russia.
Barroso stated it in an interview with "Ukrayinska Pravda" (Ukrainian
Truth) Newspaper, Mediamax reports.
An excerpt from the interview:
- What plan did the EU have for Ukraine after the Vilnius Summit? Did
you already accept that the "loss" of Ukraine?
- No, I don't agree with that. I respect countries and their choice.
It was clear at the Vilnius Summit that Ukraine is not ready to sign
the agreement. And we did not aim to compel them to do it.
We were running counter to Russian propaganda which, was claiming that
this entire situation is a plot against Russia to make Ukraine part of
the European Union. However, we didn't pursue any such aim.
For example, Armenia told us they are not ready to sign the
Association Agreement. In all likelihood, Russia acted as a third
party in their decision. But we respected their [Armenia's] choice.
However, things were different with Ukraine - there was already public
response to the failure to sign this agreement - Maidan.
http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/foreignpolicy/12995#sthash.sKdoQxNs.dpuf
From: Baghdasarian