EU, Armenia launch negotiations for new agreement

PanARMENIAN.Net - The EU and Armenia started Monday, December 7, negotiations on a new overarching framework for the deepening of their bilateral relations.

High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission Federica Mogherini and Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian launched the negotiations.

“We aim for a comprehensive framework agreement covering political, economic and sectoral cooperation, taking into account Armenia's more recent commitments”, Mogherini said. “Our shared common values and strong commitment to democracy, human rights, rule of law will be at the basis of the new agreement. These will create favorable conditions for stronger cooperation in energy, transport, and environment; new opportunities for both sides' trade and investment; and increased mobility that will benefit our citizens, both in the EU and in Armenia.”

The future Agreement will replace the current Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (1999) and reset EU-Armenia relations within the wider framework of the recently-reviewed European Neighborhood Policy and of the Eastern Partnership.

The launch of negotiations follows a successfully completed joint scoping exercise for a comprehensive agreement covering political, economic and sectoral cooperation, taking into account Armenia's international obligations.