Talks on EU-Armenia agreement set for late 2015 launch

PanARMENIAN.Net - Negotiations between Armenia and the European Union on a new agreement will start by the end of 2015, First Deputy Minister of Economy Garegin Melkonyan said.

Prospects of economic cooperation were discussed at a meeting of the EU-Armenia subcommittee on trade in Yerevan.

During the meeting, the parties addressed the macroeconomic situation in Armenia and the European Union, Armenia's cooperation with international financial institutions, the possibility of bilateral trade, including provision of expanded and updated Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP+).

“As we all know, EU decided to grant the Commission a mandate to start negotiations with Armenia a few days ago. We hope to have a new package signed by the end of the year,” Melkonyan said.

According to Melkonyan, GPS+ provides a unique opportunity to various companies in Armenia to export products to the EU market on favorable terms.

He also stressed that the EU-Armenia subcommittee is scheduled to meet on November 4 to discuss economy-related issues.

“Also in November, the Armenian delegation headed by the Minister of Economy Karen Chshmarityan is expected to visit Brussels, where two agreements on the promotion of small and medium-sized businesses will be signed,” Melkonyan said.