“European Friends of Armenia” organization released “EU-Armenia relations: future developments and prospects” report. As it is mentioned in the document, the main goal of this short paper is to promote a constructive debate focused on EU-Armenia relations. The document emphasizes the fact that thought Armenia in the last four years has developed relationship with regard to signing the EU Association Agreement, nevertheless, at the same time, it has stated about its desire to join the Customs Union. The report indicated that this fact does not prevent the RA-EU further cooperation, and as an example of cooperation, the relations with Brazil and Malaysia were illustrated, which are also cooperating with the European Union, though these countries are members of another Customs Union. As a conclusion, the report is asserts, “Having these fact in sight, we can say that future RA-EU terms of cooperation will be found regardless of the fact that Armenia has chosen another, a third partner in the custom field, and we respect this decision.” The document also asserts that the atmosphere of the agreement between Armenia and the EU is growing. Citing the example of Uruguay, the document states that even in the area of economic cooperation, the “sectoral agreements are likely to remain in force.” The executive summary of the document finalizes as follows, “Finally, it is now up to the Republic of Armenia to take the initiative and show political will for further cooperation with the EU and to make concrete proposals in the areas already defined in the EU-Armenia joint declaration, adopted in Vilnius in November 2013.” A few times pointing out the fact of Armenia’s membership to “Russia’s suggested” Customs Union, document provide the analysis of the directions on how the EU is cooperating with such countries which are members of other customs unions. In particular, the examples of cooperation with Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Uruguay are analyzed. “The EU-Armenia relations: future developments and prospects” report appears to be in need for improving the legal basis of EU-Armenia bilateral relations. Note that an assessment is made to the EU-Armenia cooperation for the last four years, and record a positive progress in human rights, freedom of media, and transparency in management of improving the electoral system, and other areas.
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
