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TRAIAN HRISTEA PRESENTS 4 KEY POINTS ESSENTIAL FOR EU-ARMENIA TIES
Foreign Policy | March 16, 2015 11:46
exclusive
Traian Hristea
Photo: PAN Photo
Head of EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Traian Hristea wrote an
op-ed on European Union's review of its European Neighbourhood Policy
which Mediamax publishes on exclusive basis.
The European Union believes its partnership with Armenia is extremely
important, and we are keen to continue deepening relations. Over the
past ten years, our partnership with Armenia has been conducted in
the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy, which has been
the basis for our cooperation with countries around the European
Union borders.
But the European Neighbourhood Policy has not always been able to
offer adequate responses to the changing aspirations of our partners.
And therefore, the European Union's own interests have not been fully
served either.
That is why the European Union has launched a far-reaching review of
this policy. During the informal Gymnich meeting of Foreign Ministers
in Riga on 6th - 7th March the High Representative Federica Mogherini
and Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy Johannes Hahn launched a
four month consultation with all our partners on the way forward.
In the review I believe we need to look at four key points:
First: what can we do increase the scope for differentiation in
the way we work with our partners? Some partners in the east are
embarking on association and deep trade agreements - and while the
scope of these has not been exhausted, they aspire to more. We have
partners in the south who are equally willing to work in the framework
of very demanding agreements with us. And we have a range of partners
in both the east and the south, who have varying wishes to interact
with us. On top of all this, we need to work out how to work with
the neighbours of our neighbours.
All this calls for some new ways of working. We need to do more to
recognise that our partners are very diverse. Not just different east
and south, but within the east and within the south.
2) This brings me to ownership. We will never get the best from this
policy unless it is a partnership actively chosen by both sides -
a partnership of equals. The new European Neighbourhood Policy
must reflect the views and experience of our partners. And we need
to ensure that we are concentrating on areas where both sides have
shared interests to pursue.
I believe that to achieve greater ownership among our partners we will
need to bring more visible results with tangible benefits for their
populations. People want to see results within a shorter timeframe,
in order to understand if a policy has paid off.
3) My third point is therefore focus: I want to get away from the
current model where we try to cover a very wide range of sectors
with every partner. For those that want, and who are able, we should
continue to pursue wide-ranging cooperation, helping the country
align with the European Union standards. But, for those who can't,
or do not want to engage with us so deeply, let's explore other
formats of cooperation.
Trade and mobility have been the traditional focus points: I want us
to consider some that have been neglected in some ways up to now -
for example energy - both our energy security and that of our partners;
and threats to security from organised crime to the frozen conflicts.
4) Lastly, we need to be more flexible: this means being able to
react to changing circumstances, and crises when they arise.
These are just some of the ideas that you will find in the consultation
paper that is now on the Delegation's website. We are determined to
consult as widely as possible, to design a policy that is really fit
for purpose.
Some people ask whether all this talk of pursuing interests means that
we are giving up on our values. The answer is very clearly no. The
promotion of democracy, human rights and rule of law is a defining
characteristic of the European Union.
It is my view that the values that are at the core of the European
Union are also in the own interests of Armenia. I will give you an
example: rule of law is key to attracting outside investment. An
independent judiciary and a system where justice is free from
corruption is not only a value in itself, but it is also a key factor
in the economic development of a country, indispensable to creating
an environment for growth.
Let's make no mistake: our current and future well-being is deeply
interconnected with conditions in the wider region. Reaching the full
potential of the relations with Armenia, building more robust relations
with them, will make all our countries safer, better places to live.
Traian Hristea
Ambassador, Head of the European Union Delegation to Armenia
Useful links
* Press release "Towards a new European Neighbourhood
Policy: the EU launches a consultation on the
future of its relations with neighbouring countries"
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-4548_en.htm?locale=en
* Joint consultation paper "Towards
a new European Neighbourhood Policy:
http://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/consultation/consultation.pdf
* Consultation webpage:
http://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/consultation/index_en.htm
* European Commission website on Neighbourhood and Enlargement
Negotiations: http://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement
http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/foreignpolicy/13502/
Foreign Policy | March 16, 2015 11:46
exclusive
Traian Hristea
Photo: PAN Photo
Head of EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Traian Hristea wrote an
op-ed on European Union's review of its European Neighbourhood Policy
which Mediamax publishes on exclusive basis.
The European Union believes its partnership with Armenia is extremely
important, and we are keen to continue deepening relations. Over the
past ten years, our partnership with Armenia has been conducted in
the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy, which has been
the basis for our cooperation with countries around the European
Union borders.
But the European Neighbourhood Policy has not always been able to
offer adequate responses to the changing aspirations of our partners.
And therefore, the European Union's own interests have not been fully
served either.
That is why the European Union has launched a far-reaching review of
this policy. During the informal Gymnich meeting of Foreign Ministers
in Riga on 6th - 7th March the High Representative Federica Mogherini
and Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy Johannes Hahn launched a
four month consultation with all our partners on the way forward.
In the review I believe we need to look at four key points:
First: what can we do increase the scope for differentiation in
the way we work with our partners? Some partners in the east are
embarking on association and deep trade agreements - and while the
scope of these has not been exhausted, they aspire to more. We have
partners in the south who are equally willing to work in the framework
of very demanding agreements with us. And we have a range of partners
in both the east and the south, who have varying wishes to interact
with us. On top of all this, we need to work out how to work with
the neighbours of our neighbours.
All this calls for some new ways of working. We need to do more to
recognise that our partners are very diverse. Not just different east
and south, but within the east and within the south.
2) This brings me to ownership. We will never get the best from this
policy unless it is a partnership actively chosen by both sides -
a partnership of equals. The new European Neighbourhood Policy
must reflect the views and experience of our partners. And we need
to ensure that we are concentrating on areas where both sides have
shared interests to pursue.
I believe that to achieve greater ownership among our partners we will
need to bring more visible results with tangible benefits for their
populations. People want to see results within a shorter timeframe,
in order to understand if a policy has paid off.
3) My third point is therefore focus: I want to get away from the
current model where we try to cover a very wide range of sectors
with every partner. For those that want, and who are able, we should
continue to pursue wide-ranging cooperation, helping the country
align with the European Union standards. But, for those who can't,
or do not want to engage with us so deeply, let's explore other
formats of cooperation.
Trade and mobility have been the traditional focus points: I want us
to consider some that have been neglected in some ways up to now -
for example energy - both our energy security and that of our partners;
and threats to security from organised crime to the frozen conflicts.
4) Lastly, we need to be more flexible: this means being able to
react to changing circumstances, and crises when they arise.
These are just some of the ideas that you will find in the consultation
paper that is now on the Delegation's website. We are determined to
consult as widely as possible, to design a policy that is really fit
for purpose.
Some people ask whether all this talk of pursuing interests means that
we are giving up on our values. The answer is very clearly no. The
promotion of democracy, human rights and rule of law is a defining
characteristic of the European Union.
It is my view that the values that are at the core of the European
Union are also in the own interests of Armenia. I will give you an
example: rule of law is key to attracting outside investment. An
independent judiciary and a system where justice is free from
corruption is not only a value in itself, but it is also a key factor
in the economic development of a country, indispensable to creating
an environment for growth.
Let's make no mistake: our current and future well-being is deeply
interconnected with conditions in the wider region. Reaching the full
potential of the relations with Armenia, building more robust relations
with them, will make all our countries safer, better places to live.
Traian Hristea
Ambassador, Head of the European Union Delegation to Armenia
Useful links
* Press release "Towards a new European Neighbourhood
Policy: the EU launches a consultation on the
future of its relations with neighbouring countries"
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-4548_en.htm?locale=en
* Joint consultation paper "Towards
a new European Neighbourhood Policy:
http://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/consultation/consultation.pdf
* Consultation webpage:
http://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/consultation/index_en.htm
* European Commission website on Neighbourhood and Enlargement
Negotiations: http://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement
http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/foreignpolicy/13502/