At the European People’s Party (EPP) congress, President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, addressed the Armenia-EU relations. In his speech, he particularly noted, “we have reached a new responsible milestone in the relations with the EU.” Referring to the fact that the EU Council has adopted mandate to open negotiations on a new, legally binding and overarching agreement with Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan noted, “I strongly believe that negotiations will result in an elaborate document outlining comprehensive cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, and it will become the best assurance for our joint commitment to elevate Armenia-EU relations to a new stage.”
Aravot.am asked the “Heritage” faction MP Tevan Poghosyan whether there are really new prospects for reaching a new level of Armenia-EU cooperation, Mr. Poghosyan replied, “There is a prospect, there is a negotiating mandate, there is the first meeting, the first talks will take not long as we already have the negotiation text.” Mr. Poghosyan thinks that it is possible to include the political element from the Association Agreement. He went into details, “The political element can be included from the Association Agreement completely, with a few minor omissions that establishes a connection between the political and the economic elements. In the economic element, we at least know what problems arise. For example, there will be no chance for zero customs rates, but in many spheres, there will be a cooperation with at least 28 directions.” Tevan Poghosyan believes that it is possible to finish the negotiations by the end of the year, they will not last long if there is a political will. To our question that it is possible for Russia to create obstacles again for the current stage of the Armenia-EU cooperation, Mr. Poghosyan responded, “I think both Armenia and the EU drew a lesson of September 3.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
