European Union foreign ministers should discuss the “European package” in Brussels. The goal is to outline the prospect of the Eastern Partnership countries: Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan after 2013 Vilnius summit and prior to the meeting of Heads of Governments to be held in Riga in 2015. There is no word in the draft of the document about the possibility of the EU membership, however, it is noted that the “European package” should become a milestone, which will offer more than is currently included in the Association Agreement.” With regard to Armenia, it is recommended to “raise the status of Partnership and Cooperation Agreement regulating the relations between Brussels and Yerevan”. The package referring to Russia, says, “The punitive practice over the Eastern Partnership countries is unacceptable for EU.” Aravot.am asked Ruben Mehrabyan, expert of the “Center for Political and International Studies”, whether is another chance for Armenia. Mr. Mehrabyan said, “This is another suggestion, the possibility for Armenia, which hardly will be used. Subjugating Russia’s pressure obstructs Armenia, as there are political forces in the government and the opposition, which politically and psychologically depend on Russia. The ring of hanging by the name of Customs Union is around Armenia’s neck.” Mr. Mehrabyan considers the discussion of the “European Package” the technical side of the issue, and notes, “The EU should also introduce serious adjustments in its policy towards Putin’s Russia. No European project can have success in any post-Soviet country, if measures are not taken to resist the impudent intervention of Putin’s Russia. In Europe, there is a methodological error, according to which, by feeding the crocodile, it can turn into an improvised vegetarian, which is not the case. The crocodile should be kept in the cage, rather than bringing it home and then being eaten up. Ukraine made Europe to make some proofreading”. Mr. Mehrabyan believes that if Europe does not undertake similar actions, “it should build a Chinese Wall at the EU border from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. And as to what the “European Package” will give Armenia, Mr. Mehrabyan thinks that it depends on the outcome of the situation in Ukraine, and “to what extent Armenia’s civil society will consider the European package its own and will force the authorities to move in that direction.”
Political analyst Hrant Melik-Shahnazaryan considers the “European package” not a new chance but a working paper and notes, “There is a need for such document. There was a need to clarify the future policy, which was talked about by experts and European officials. In my opinion, we should not make such assessment that this is a chance. This is just a working paper. Ultimately, at the moment, there is no obstacle for Armenia towards the development of relations with Europe. The Association Agreement is one component of the Eastern Partnership, with regard to all other aspects, there are positive achievements in the Armenia-EU relationships, there is a mutual desire to continue the process. The Customs Union can not be an obstacle to all of this. I do not think that joining the Customs Union should hinder the development of democracy in Armenia, the new customs rules have never been an obstacle to the development of economic ties between Russia and Europe, and they can not be an obstacle to Armenia, as well.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
